The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-03

From the baltimore Sun.
THE PRESIDENTS SPECIAL MESSAGE
THE TREATY OF WASHiNGTON-THE
BRITISH CLAIM TO THE RIGHT OF VS.
vTATION


ITATiON.
On our first page will be found message from
the President of the United States sent TO the House
of Representatives on Monday last, accompanied by
certain documents called for by resolution Of the
House, and having reference to "thc Presidents
sructon Of the late British treaty concluded WASH
Ington, it concerns alleged right to visit Ameri-
can vessels" This message being one of real impor-
lance, will attract much attention both in and out of
Congress. What action the House may see fit to take
upon the subject Of it, what may be its necessary
form, we cannot know in advance; but the time for
action being very brief il is to be hoped that promp
titude will characterize their proceedings. No
question Of mere party involved in the matter Ii
is the country that calls them, and they will not
we feel assured, turn deaf ear to her appeal And
what does she call for' what does she ask at their
hands Simply this, if our comprehension be not at
fault, that they shall in some appropriate way i'm
body and manifest the spirit of the people collec
tivey-ther will, their firm resolve, of which we
apprehend there be no doubt, to resist in hnine
and forever hereafter, the arrogant pretensons
of Great Britain to the chief poceship of the high
seas, whether they be openly declared only sought
by indrection, she seems disposed to seek the
right Of search under of the right Of visitation
That national chief magistrate holds views OPT
Mons and feelings touching this point in rela-
tons with Great Britain, identical with those of the
people at large of this country, and that they and
France coincide with him in his construction Of the
Treaty Of Washington, so far as It relates to ii,
think there there can be manner Of reasona-
BILE doubt; why not then imbody and exhibit the
popular sentiment and will in appropri-
ate legislative form, and thus present in oppo-
sition to the British claim united front
composed of the executive and legislative autberi-
ties of the nation, thinking, feeling and acting in
harmony with each other, and unanimous with the
people, in view, purpose and determination The
question OF the British claim, our past conduct in
spect to the suppression Of the slave trade the par
t'cular poin, in dispute, the views under which our
Government acted in respect to this point in the late
negotiations, are calmly, coDcisely and ably review
| ed and set forth in the message Our country, as
represented by its government is put clearly in the
right, and the determination TO maintain that posi-
ton is evidently firm The eighth article of the
treaty was and is still, and will continue to be,
sidered by removing every pretext for British
search under the softened color Of visitation. BY
that but gave "a comprehensive guaranty
to do that IN which we led England herself, but IN
our eDdeavors 10 accomplish which had not been
successful in proportion 10 The extent Of wishes
/ but relipguished no right on the water, Jour
/ rights on land were not of course inyolyed) which
we possessed before. On the contrary, We held,
and still hold, that having pledged ourselves TO in
creased exertion for the suppression of the slave
trade, and for preventing the dsbonor of our
try by the prostitution OF her flag to the
detestsble traffic. we had induced England to, aeiily
at least, waive her claim TO the right Of visitation
even as she prolessed TO understand 1t, as being no
longer necessary 10 the end in view far at least
| as we were concerned We chose and we choose
STILL to take the honor Of flag into keep
ing and certainly our clear right TO do this cannot
be considered as in any degree compromised by a
promise, which will faithfully keep 10 cooperate
with Great Britain for the accomplishment of an
end which both have agreed 10 make a common one.
That the just views and the high resolve Of the Pre-
sidcnt in respect to this matter, will be sustained by
all the pure patriotism OF the country we have nc
doubt whatever, Notwithstanding the miserable at
tempts OF most in.igni6esnt few, to sustain The
British minister's views of the right Of visitation, or
the ground of ITS necessity 10 prevent smuggling, pa
racy, and the like. They affect an awful horror Of
war, no matter how necessary, and would range
themselves under the banner Of peace, even though
in doing they should be found 10 opposition to the
honor Of their country, its rights on both sea anc
land, and the nviolabty Of its flag and ts soil Al
10 ourselves W. desire for our country peace WITH
all nations, and with none than with Grea
Britain but We would not purchase II at the high
price which some seem, on every occasion OF sctua
or probable dispute with her, not only willing
but anxious to pay for it, She has now the sam,
right Of visit that all maritime nations have, and hav,
long had, by comfy, and under the same known res
possibilities, and We are by no means disposed L
grant her any more.