Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-03-17
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the House Of Representatives:


liVes Of the 22d inst. requesting me te
communicate 10 the House 'whatever
correspondence or communication may
have been received from the British Go.
vernment respecting the Presidents
construction Of the late British treaty |
concluded at Washington, as it concerns
an alleged right TO visit american ves'
Sels," herewith transmit report made
to me by The Secretary Of State. have
also thocght proper TO communicate co
pies OF Lord Aberdeen's letters OF the
20lh December, lS4l, 10 Mr.. Everon
Mr. Everelts letter ofthe 23d December
in reply thereto; and extracts OF several
lelters from Mr.. Everett 10 the Secre'a
ry ofStatc.
cannot forego phe expression OF my
regret at the apparent purporl Of part
OF Lord.AberGeea's despatch TO Mr.. Fox
had cherished the hope that all posi-
blity Misunderstanding as TO the true
construction OF the Slh article Of the trea.
" lately concluded between the United
States and Great BriHau, was precluded
by the plain and we'll weighed language
in which it is expressed. The desire ol
both Governments is TO pat an end as
speedily as possible 10 the slave trade;
and that desire, need scarcely add, IS
as strongly and sincerely felt by the u.
States as it can be by Great Britain
Yet it must not be forgotten that the
trade though now reprobated, was, up
loa late period, prosecuted by all who
chose TO engage in it; and there we're
unfortunately very few christian powers
whose ubiects were not permitted, and
even encouraged, to share ia the profits
ofwhat was regarded, as a perfectly le-
gi,imate commerce. 1t originated at
period long before the United States had
become independent, and was carried on
within our borders ia opposition TO the
most earnest remonstrances and expos
tulations Of some Of the colonies in
which It was most actively prosecuted
Its character thus fixed by common con
sent and general practice, could only be
changed by the positive assent Of eact
and every nation, expressed either ii
the form ofmunicipal law, or convention
al arrangement. The United States LEI
the way in efforts to suppress it. They
claimed no right 10 dictate to others, bu
they resolved, without waiting for tn
cooperation Of other powers, to Prohlt
it tito their own citizens, and 10 vs
its perpsiration by them 10 condign pur
ishment | may safely affirm that
never occurred 10 this Government thf
any new maritime right accrued TO
from the position it had thus assumed
regard 10 the slave trade. II, before ou
laws for its suppression, the flag OF ev'
ry nation might traverse the ocean uu
questioned by our cruisers, this ireedo
was not, in our opinion, the least abrd
ged by our municipal legislation. An
other doctrine, it is plain, would subje
an arbitrary and ever varying syste
OF maritime police, adopted at will by Il
great naval power for the time beln
the trade OF the world in any places,
in any articles, which such power mig
see fit 10 prohibit TO its own subjects
citizens. A principle OF this kind cou
scarcely be acknowledged, without su
iec,ing commerce TO the risk OF consta
and harrassing vexaiions, The attem
to Justify such a pretensiOn from I
right 10 visit and delain ships upon re
sonable suspicion OF piracy, would
serVedIy be exposed TO universal &C
demnalion, since it would be an attem
10 convert an established rule Of ma
time law, incorporated as principle
10 the international code by the const
Of all nations, into rule and princiI
adopted BY single nation, and enlo
ed only by ils assumed authority
seize and detain a ship upon suspicion
piracy. with probable cause and in &C
faith, affords no just ground either
complaint on the part Of the nation VIII
flag she bears, or claim an nde mnity
the part Of the owner. Tho univeT
law sanctions, and the common good
quires, the existence Of such rule I
right under such circumstances not o.
TO visit and delain, but TO search S
is a perfect right, and involves nett
responsibility nor indemnity. But "
this single exception no nation has,
time OF peace, any authority 10 dot
the ships Of another upon the high 81
or any prelext whatever, beyond
limits OF territorial Jurisdiction.
such, am happy 10 fud, is snbslant
Iy the doctrine OF Great Britain hers
10 her recent declarations, end Q
those now communicated 10 the Ho
These declarations may we'll lead u
doubt whether the apparent dlfferer
between the two Governments is
rather one Of definition, than one Of P