Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-14
TrWENTY-sEvEsrH coNGREss--aa Session.
is SrxArE-Feb u, 1913.
CORRESPONDENTS ~ RELATION TO The GUlSriPLE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
From NJ Cdys 10 .Nr. Ggi:0t

is SrXaTE-Feb u, 1913.
CORRESPONDENCE TX RELATION TO HE GUISTiPLE
TREATN-ttoN1tNufD
From NJ CdSs 10 M GGj:0t
LEGArloS CT ruE u. STATES, !
pa-s, Feb Is, lo+2
SIR The recent signature oil treaty, having Tor its
object the suppression Of the African slave trade by
five Of the powers OF Europe, add to which France
purity, fact of such general no'oTety, that 1t may
be assumed tie basis OF any pl"mac representa-
tons which the subject may fa'r:y require
The United States beng party 10 tins treaty, have
no right to inquire INTO tie circumstances which have
led TO IT, nor INTO the proposes to adopt ex
cept far they have reason to believe that heif
rights may be involved IN the course Of IT'S execution
Their desire put stop TO this traffic IS every
where known we'll as the early and continued Efforts
they have adopted prevent their citizens from prose-
cutting it, They have been invited by the Government
Of Great Britain Ia become party to the treaty, which
should regulate the action al the combined Govett-
meuts the subject. But, Tor satisfactory
TO themselves and beliegc satisfactory 20 the world,
they have declined ,hs united acton and have chosen
10 pursue their measures, and 10 act upon their
own citizens only, hout su3Jeclng these 10 any kind
OF foreign jurisdiction.
In a communication from Lord Palmerston, her Bri-
tannic maestys principal Secretary Of State, for fo-
reign Affairs to Mr. Stevenson, the American Minis
Ter, al London, dated 27lh August 1851 Lord Palmer
ston claims right Tor he Brush cruzers, and avows
the intention Of his Government Ia exercise IT. TO search
American vessels at sea in time OF peace, with view
to ascertain their National character lie adds, that
hs examination OF papers o! merchantmen, suspect
ed of beng engaged III the slave trade, though
they hoist U. ). flag proceeding which it is abso
uely necessary tina, British cruzers employed in the
suppression of the slave trade should continue TO prac
tee &c, &c.
In communication from the successor oF Lord
Aberdeen, Mr. Stevenson, dated Oclaber Is. lsil,
the views and differentiation announced the first are
confirmed and Lord Aberdeen thus states the ground
upon which rests this pfetension to search American
vessels in time Of peace "Bu the undersigned must
observe, that the present happy concurrence OF the
States Of Christendom this great object (the sup
preston of the slave trae,) merely justices but
renders Indispensable the right claimed and cxer
cised by the British Government, That - 10 say, the
right of entering and examining American vessels 10
ascertain their nationality.
Il part Of NY duty, 20 Off. any comments upon
this preension nor upon the reasons advanced IN sup
port fit. And it II were, should find the duty far
better performed for me, than could perform II for
myself the annual message Of the Dresden, If the)
United States 20 Congress- Of December I, ISL. In
that document viii be found the views Of tie Amer
Government uFoa this subject; and II Is there
phaticaIy declared, tina! ''iio~ever DESTROYS the U
States may be Tor the suppression Of :he slave trade
they cannot consent To interpretations into the mari
time CODE at the Will and pleasure Of other Go
vernments We deny the right OF any such in.erpo.
laton to any one, or all The nations of the earth, with
out our consent. We claim 10 have voice in all
amendments or alterations Of that code; and when
are given understand, IN this instance, by TO-.
reign Government, that lis treaties with other nations
cannot be executed without the establishment and en-
forcement of new principles vi maritime police 10 be
applied without our consent, we must employ language
neither OF equivocal import, susceptible of mscon.
structIon.'
You will perceive SIR, b. these extracts, that the Bri
fish GovernneD, has advanced = pfeienslun whch 1t
10 be indispensable the execution Of ITS irea-
for the suppression OF the slave trade, and TO Which
the President Of the United States has declared that
the American Government will not submit THIS claim
of search, It will be observed, arising, as IS asserted,
out Of existing obligations, has relation 10 The insulated
treaties for the abolition Of this traffic, which in
force the date Of the commuuicaucns Of Lord Pal.
merston and of Lord Aberdeen 1t IS known that
the combined treaty upon tins subject ore extensive
in its operations and more minute OF The details
of its execution Than the separate treaties with France
which preceded IT, and equally indefinite ~ the duration
Of ts obligation OF course, measures which not
only 'justfabe but Indispensable tor the execution o!
the latter will find equal justice and necessity in the
obligations Of the former.
With this previous declaration made by of tie
parties to THIS Qunta. Treaty, concerning lis opera
tons, the American Government cannot siu; their
ewes their true position. the moral tnsct winch
such a union Of FIVE grea, powers, two Of winch are
em,nen,y maritime but three OF which have perhaps
never had vessel eagaged in that traffic, is cacu-
lated to produce upon the u. : and upon other q.
tons who, Ike them, may be ndsposed 10 these
bined movements, though IT may he regretted, yet
furnishes just cause OF complaint But the sub
ect assumes another aspect when they told by
of the parties that their vessels be orcbly
ed and examined IN order TO carry into effect these
stpula,ons. Certainly the American Government
does believe that the high powers, contracting par
lies TO this treaty, have any wish TO compel the u s.
by force, adapt their lis provisions,
adopt It's stipuiat,ons They have too much conf
dence in their OF Justice fear any such result
and they will see with pleasure The prompt disav owsl
made by YOURSELF Sir in the OF your country at
the tribune of the Chamber of Deputies, OF any inen-
tons Of this nature. But were 1t otherwise, and
it possible they might be deceived in this confident
expectation, that would not alter in one title Their
course Of action. Their d0ty would be the same, and
the same would be taeir determination 10 fulfil it.
They would prepare themselves with apprehension in
deed, but without d'smay-wth regret hut with firm
ness for of those desperate struggles which have
sometimes occurred the history of the world, but
where just and the favor OF Providence have
given strength to comparative weakness and enabled
II 10 break down the pride OF power.
But have already sad the 4. States do not ear
that any such united at:enr. viii he made upon their
independence What however, they nav reasonably
fear and wha: they do .ear 10, 2t IN the execution
of this treaty will be taken which they mus
resist How far the acts o!oEe Of the parties putting
,ts construct on upon ITS duties, and upon the
obligations OF lis contractors may involve these in
any unlocked for consequences either by the adoption
of similar measures or by their rejection, | do not
presume 10 Judge. Certain IL, however, that If the
fact and the principle advanced by Lord Aberdeen
nre correct the these treaties tor The abolition OF tie
slave trade cannot be executed Intentionally board
ng American ships al sea IN time oil peace aud That