The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-01-24

| Seeing, then, that our flag has been shamelessy
abused TO cover an Infamous traffic, which our laws
were the nrst TO denounce and pursue WI adequate
penalties-that it has been made shelter 10 screen
| from the punishment due to their crimes the most
prohgate OF The human race,-does i the national
honor demand that should give 10 The world an as
surance of our determination to cleanse and preserve
| II from this horrible pollution we have, upon con-
sderations of the CHEST state policy, and from a
jealous socitude to maintain the freedom of the seas,
refused to concede that mutual right of search which
other nations have consented to yield, an nstru-
| ment for the suppression of the slave trade. We
have with still stronger determination, and upon inn
pregnable grounds of public law, declared resist
ance to the pretension Of subecting our flag to
visitation and de ntion for the alleged purpose of
carrying into execution the agreements of other pow
| ers, to which We have refused to become party
Under these circumstances is il not due to the char
acter OF the American people, pledged by all their
past history to the great of the final suppress
sion OF the African trade, that while rejecting
| the plans proposed by other Governments for this
object, should come forw ard with one of our own,
which VIII afford complete guaranty against the
prostitution to which we have our flag so vilely
exposed, and which WILL at the same time, bring the
most efficient means to the general extrpaton of this
odous traffic, without intrenching on the liberty Of
the seas and the established principles of maritime
law?
Considerations and sentiments such as these,
doubtless suggested the arrangement contained in
the treaty. by that arrangement, it is stipulated
that the two powers shall each maintain squadron
OF not less than eighty guns the coast of Africa
to enforce, separately and respectively, the laws and
obligations OF each country Tor the suppression of
the slave-tradc the two squadrons to be perfectly
Independent Of each other; but at the same time to
act in concert and cooperation for the attainment of
the common object, under such orders shall, from
time TO time, be given by their respective Govern
msnts And it is farther stipulated that the two
parties will unite in all becoming representations
and remonstrances to any power within whose do
minions markets for the purchase of African slaves
may be still allowed to exist, TO close such markets
at once and forever. In virtue Of his arrangement,
(Which is limited TO five years, if either patty shall
wish them to terminate it, each power will, sepa-
ratey and independently, exercise the necessary
supervision and police over all vessels sailing I'M
der its own flag; neither being permitted to visit or
search the vessels of the other but the presence of
the two squadrOns, always on the alert, and acting
in friendly concert, will afford, by their vigilant
oversight, complete security against the of the
flag OF either power to the prohibited traffic.
and will, at the same time, give protection to the
merchant vessels of each, when necessary, from all
unlawful interruption mOlestatOn
This arrangement is adapted to meet every ext
gency OF the case, and recOnciles the most vigo-
rous measures for the suppression of the slayetrade
with sacred regard for the independence and i'm
munity of the national flag. 1t vindcates from all
suspicion the sincerity of the United States which
their persevering and solitary opposition for long
time, to the mutual CONFESSION OF the right of search
for the more effective pursuit and detection of the
traffic, exposed to furious doubts and misconsruc-
ton. AT the same time, it has the merit of strict
fidelity to American principles. 1t is indeed the
identical plan which, when Lord Castereagh was
earnestly insisting mutual right of search
the only efectual means for the suppression of the
trade President Monroe caused to be present
ed, as the american ntre-proet-whioh, however,
did not prevent his Lordship from recurring to,
and urgently pressing, again and again, his favorte
right Of search. The proposition referred to was
developed in letter from the Secretary Of State to
the Hon. Stratford Canning, dated the 90th Of De-
cember, 1890;
4" But while regretting that the character of the
organized means of cooperation for the suppression
of the African slave-trade, proposed by Great Br-
tain, did not admit of our concurrence in the adop-
ton OF them, the President has been far from the
disposition to reject discountenance the general
proposition of concerted cooperation ,c Great B, ain,
to the accomplishment Of The common end--the sup
preston of the trade. For this purpose, armed
cruisers of the United States have been for some
time kept stationed on t.e coast which is the scene
of this odious traffic. measure which it is in the
contemplation Of this Government continue, with
out intermssion. As there armed British vessels
charged with the duty constantly kept cruising
the same coast, am directed by he President to
propose that Instructions 10 be concerted bei,ceen ihe
tno Governments, with a view to mutual assistance,
should be given to the commanders Of the vessels
respectively assigned 10 that service that they may
be ordered, whenever the occasion may render il
yenient to cruise IN eonpany together TO communicate
mutually to each other all Information obtained by
The one, and which may be useful to the execution Of
the duties Of the other and TO give each other every
assistance which may be compatible with the per-
Torrance Of their own service, and adapted to the
end which s the commnn aim of both parties"
An apprehension has been expressed Mr.. Presi-
dent that this arrangement will carry with il dis
appointment to ancient ally and friend, France
bn hy ,ubh har rat,G fr,n fla
quintuple treaty, has placed herself upon common
ground with US, in regard TO the great question of
the freedom Of The ,ea and that II may tend TO
weaken the position so CALAMITY assumed, on the
same occasion, by our able and patriotic minister at
Paris Neither consequence, ! am persuaded, can
possibly arise. France will with satisfaction on
the o.e hand, that Great Britain has acceded to
scheme Of maritime cooperation for the suppress
sion of the slaye-rade, involving right of search
and, on the other, that the United States while
maintaining intact the independence of their flag
have agreed TO devote efficient portion of their
naval power to the ponmon pause of eXtirpating a
| traffic which has become the horror of the civil
| lied world. She will see, in the principles
which this arrangement is founded, the very doc
trines heretofore asserted by her most distinguished
statesmen-by Talleyr- nd, in 1914; by the Due de
| Richelieu, in 1878 and by Chateaubriand, in 1922
and in the arrangement itself she will exact
reflection OF the contre-prod which she caused to be
presented to the Congress Of AK la Chapelle, a
substitute for the British proposition of reciprocal
right Of search. In regard t, our distinguished re-
preventative at the court Of France, the conclusion
Of this arrangement will serve only to crown his use.
fu and efficient services and the ratification of the
quintuple treay-which, by his timely and we'll
directed efforts, he has contributed thus far to avert
must henceforward be considered as d.fnitipeiy
withheld. No Terson honors more than l do the
| true-hearted instincts Of American patriotism,
well the sagacious views and lofty spirit which
| have directed our able minister, at important
! uncture. He has entitled himself TO, and will
undoubtedly receive, the warmest thanks Of his
country.
. In the czech Of Mr.. Benton on the British treaty
recently published, he claims great credit to Mr.
Van Buren's administration for having rejected, as
contrary 10 The principles and policy cfihis Government