The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-23

Africa although The power IL visitation 70 'u,'sed ""
der the treaty in such ease, although VIC e'a" ~
right To visit sIavers bona nde h"efsAh. az ~
right Is 10 be exercised by vessels OF the tni'ea
we thought IT, say, step IA advance Tow. 'ne
ultimate suppression Of the slave Trade 10 soee"o "
the proposition of the United states
But ia aeceding 10 that We have not abs"oo"o ou
claims in the slightest degree dad q sses "~As
nv mar, Of our Intention during the controversy 10
abandon the right TO which NC lay claim w VIC We
spath | have mentioned. Hear, hear near "e
have not contented ourselves, sur, wan "a'"s "s
fact TO become known BY declaration W hs nous'
but since the appearance oil the rtes. '',s =, A.
wo have taken an opportunity oil ih'na''us W ."'
United States the construction we place on the treaty
(CheersD trust sir that have said enough 10 sat
isfy the house on this tut; trust also, Una, al,
though compelled to avow material dhefenoc o'
opiniop between the two governments upon uis par
ticular question have stated this difference OF opin-
ion with the respect which wish TO maintain 'omard'
the high authorities of the United States Nhear,
hear.)
The President of the United States, France,
indeed all Europe, regarded The question AS
settled, as far as American vessels Were con
cerned. If Lord Ashburton thought differently
he would certainly have referred, in his cores
pondence, to the despatch of the Earl oil Aber-
deem.
That France regarded the Treaty OF Wash
ington as settlement of this question, adyan-
taSeous to America, IS clearly demonstrated by
the following proceedings in the Chamber OF
Deputies, on the 18th ut.:
On the 10Th some discussion took place on the
right of search.
M. de Monthierry desired that some inquiry should
be made to the Cabinet in regard to the right OF
search.
NJ. deRocqueville thought that it was necessary to
express in the address, Tin answer to the Kings
speedy the desire that negotiations should be opened
with England, for the purpose OF abolishlng the
slave trade by other means than the right of search
In the present state of public opinion modification
of the treaties of 1881 and 1888 was necessary
nj. Lalande declared that the treaty of 1881 was
serious insult 10 the dignity of the navy, and the trea-
ty of 1888 no less serious assault the safety Of
our commerce He was DESTROYS that while proceed
ing with extreme caution, their entire repeal should
be brought about The treaties the right Of search
appeared to him dangerous that he less aston
shed at the abuses that had taken place under them
than II at they were not more frequent.
Nj. Monier de la Szeranne desired the complete
abrogation of the right of search.
NJ Cunin Gridaine replied that the Ministers con-
sdered themselves bound to the treaties OF 1891 and
1893. That circumstances did not justify their vo-
lation, that France having strictly executed them,
would demand their equally strict execution by the
powers allied with her in those treaties.
M Odillon Barrot. 1t is not the extension given
the limits of the treaty of lS4l which caused the
amendment unanimously adopted by the Chamber;
it the assault the independence of the flag the
abuse which had taken place of right, exorbtant in
itself, and consideration Of what due TO the
preservation of peace between the two countries,
which was threatened by continuance of the recp-
rocal right of search. The Chamber must express
itself decidedly on the principle Of this right On the ne
cessary temporary and revocable character of rea-
ties and the determination of France to place her
in lie
had done bu their late treaty.
Many other members expressed themselves also in
favor OF treaty the subject of the slave trade,
similar to that iaissy entered into beote the T. States
and England
Such expressions prove that France regards
the late Treaty as exempling America from the
arbitrary claim set up by England 10 subject the
powers of the earth to her "rule" on the seas
right 10 the free and unmoesled navigation u
the high seas-if il had not obtained an exemp-
lion from the humiIiat ing process imposed by
the Mistress of the Seas" on all other mari
time powers-in short, if there were no pyiuiie-
ges in this respect achieved by the late treaty
then why should France and other nations de-
mand TO be placed upon the same grounds which
we occupy2
And yet Sir Robert Peel, who is virtually at
the head Of the British Government, declares
explicitly that "we have not waived one Of
the principles commended for" in the fright Of
visitation" and ntimates to France that Anne
RIGA does not enjoy single privilege on the
high seas, not granted by the "mistress of the
seas" TO other powers.
But the most amusing part Of Sir Roberts
speech, is the considerdte and pdtronizing de-
claratioD, that awe claim the right to know
whether griepous i1roRg has not been of
fered to the American flag % And hence they
would board our vessels and make search 10
ascertain the fact What control has England
over our FLAo2 OUR FLAG PROTECTED ITSELF
were an INDEPENDENT nation, and no longer
tributary to, or under the parental protection
Of, our cruel old mother. We had thought we
could resent and redress any "grievous wrong"
offered US by any nalion, ourselves.
Such was the parental solcilu1e Of Napoleon
for Venice when he placed an armed force in
that city, few months previous to selling it TO
Austria.
But what right has England to set up this
preposterous claim 2. Does any other Power in
the universe set up such a claim 2 Why should
Great Britain claim it as a right7 Is it be-
cause she possesses the MIGHT2 1t is true a
powerful nation may appropriate 10 itself ter
rtory by the right of conquest--or dictate laws
on the high seas if il has the means TO enforce
them-but in either case it is beiiigerent right.
AMERICA is not conquered nation either on land
or sea.
Sir Robert Peel admits that "search is a bel.
ligerent right" The President in his last an
nual Message to Congress, explicitly declares,
that the right of visitation is but another name