The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-20
THE FREATY OF WASHINGTON.

Il
Mr. Benton construed the slh article of III
Treaty as some of the British presses did--tha
u permitted the cruisers OF Great Britain Il
search or visit American vessels and lakins
This dogged stand against his counuy, he con
iinued his gross assaults against Mr.. Wei ster
the Administration, and Mr.. Calhoun.
Mr.. Calhoun says, in reference 10 this arti
cle
1t is objected that the arrangement entered into
Is virtually an acknowledgment OF the right of search
lie dld not SO regard A. On the contrary, he con
sdered It, under all the circumstances Surrender
~ that clam oa Me part of Great Britain a concu-
sion which a review Of the whole transaction, in his
opinion, would justify. Lord Palmerston, in the
first place, claimed the unqualified right of search
IN which II is understood he was backed by the five
great powers. Lord Aberdeen, with more wisdom
and moderation, explained il To mean the right OF
visitation simply and, finally s negotiations Is CLOSED
totaos reference 10 either, simply ,ei stipulation be-
hoeen the parties 10 keep up for fire years squadron o
not less than eighty guns the coast Of .iea 10 enforce
separately and repeoiirsiy the iops and obligations Of each
Of HE countries for the suppression Of the Stare Trade.
IL is carefully worded To make It mutual but at the
same time separate and independent each looking to
The execution OF It's own laws and obligations, and
carefully erei,tdng the supervision Of either the
other, and thereby directly rebutting the object OF
search or visitation"
Viewing the Treaty as whole-c considering
all the subjects embraced in its provisions Mr..
Calhoun thus expresses his opinion:
son reviewing the whole, and weighing the rea-
sons for and against its ratification, cannot doubt thai
the former greatly prepondrate If have not gained
all That could be desired, hare gained much that
desirable and if all has not been settled, much has
beenand that, not Of little importance. 1t is not OF
ittle importance to have the Northeastern boundary
setledand that, too, tch the Of Me States i'm.
nediaefy inter sed subject which has been in dis
pute almost from the origin Of the Government and
chch had become and eaiangied and adcerse
TO oar claim, every attempt heretofore made 10 settle it,
Nor Is II OF little importance to have the whole line
OF boundary between us and the British domiDions,
from the source Of the St Croix to the Rocky noun
tans settled-a line Of than three fhousar,d miles,
with many disputed points Of long standing the set
temen OF which had baDted all precious attempts Nor
Is 1t OF little importance TO have adjusted The en.5rass
ments relating TO the african sare- ade by adopting
the least Objectionable of the alternatives. Nor to
have the principles of the law Of nations for which
we contended, in reference to the Creole and other
Of the kind, recognised by Great Britain nor 10
have a solemn pledge against their recurrence with
reasonable assurance of satisfactory stpulations by
treaty Nor is it of little importance to have by The
settlement OF these inyeterate and difficult questions
the relation OF the two countries settled down in
amty and peaeepermaneni aDlify and peace as il may
be hoped-n the place Of that dOubii, unsettled eond
lio bstreen peace and wa och has for so ,naay years
characterized IT, and cbieh hostile TO the interests and
prosperity Of both countries"