Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-11

iige Government Of: the United States, which cheer
fay assumes a.. - responsibility /. stands upon 1t
mode >. fulfilling lis duties and accomplish
! ing its objects. Nor have The United States departed,
in the alightes degree, from their former principles oil
avoiding European combinations upon subjects not
American-because the abolition OF the African slave
trade is American subject, cmphatica!ly as il IS
an European subject-and, indeed more So inasmuch
The Government of the United States took the first
great step in declaring that trade unlawful and in at
tempting its eXncticn. The abolition of this traic,
an object of the highest interest to the American peo
pie, and the American Government-and you seem
strangely 10 have overlooked altogether The important
fact, that nearly thirty years ago, by the Treaty OF
Ghenr, the United States bound themselves by schema
compact with England to continue their efforts to
promote lis entire abolition-bo:h parties pedging
themselves by that Treaty 70 hc best endeayoTs
| 10 accomplish d-sl able an object.
Now, IN answer 10 this, you observe, IN your last
letter "Ihet the particular mode in winch the Co
vernments should in concert finally arranged in
the treaty. suggested ty YOURSELF never doubted.
And if this is the construction am TO give to your
denin Of my correctness there is difficulty upon the
subject. The question between is untouched. All
said was that England continued to prosecute the mat
ter; that she presented it for negotiation, md Ihe
thefeupon Consented TO lis introduction. And il Lord
AsiOuron 90 not come oul with instructions from his
Government - endedvor to effect some arrangement
upon t.:ls snhi'c the world has strangely mlsurcer
stood one o. the great oaieats o. h:s mission and
nave misunderstood ,at paragraph. in your first note,
where you say That LORD Aspturtol with full
powers negotiate settle al matters 10 discussion
between England ard BE United Safes Bat the
"e.y fact oil his coming here and of bis accedlrg 10
any stpuailons pecng lie slave ;raie. ccncus
proof ia. his Government d, Obtain .c
co operation OF the United States. had supposed that
Government would scarcely take the initiative
this matter, and urgei upon tl,et vi Great Bain
ther in Washington CT in London. If old 50, can
only express regret, and confess that have been led
| inadvertently into an error.
, It would appear, tfcm all tbs, That that which in
your first letter appeared direct statement OF facts
vi winch you woad naturally be presumed 10 have had
know ledge, SINKS q, last ,ato in!eences and Conec
/ tGrss. Bat IN attempting 70 escape fro:n Of the
mistakes Of this tissue you have fallen into others
/ 'AN SAID was, you observe, "l!at England CONT
nued 10 prosecute The matter; at SIZE presented 1t tor
ne cotiaion and that the .eioe consented TO lis in
,.oduc,ion.' Now the English Minister no more pre-
scented the subject for negotaon than the Government
of the United States presented It. Nor can II be SAID
that the ni;eG States consented 10 its introduction in
any other seuse than it may BE sad that the British
Al,ais,cr consented TO it, VIII you be good enough to
tie series ol year assertions on this sub
j"ct. and whether they possibly he regarded
mere! : statement Of you. differences; Your
:,y .c.e..i.c iaci is the genera! o.c that The British
T. aisc: cemc clothed ih .ui! powe. 10 heeo,aie and
seii!e ali matters IN d.scGs,i@n THIS you say - COLI
elusive proof that ms Government was DESTROYS To
o,ta y the en- operation o. lie United States respecting
the slave trade; and :hca you infer, that England
.i.ncd TO prosecute this m.tt.r. an presented II for
negotiations and ;..t he Ia'ied S,acs consented To
il introductory ard r"e ;ls inference he shape oil
direct state neDt OF a fact
1 You m yhl have made the remarks, ana with
tho same p!op'ciy, in relation to the subject OF the
"Creoe' tina; Of .mpressmen the extradton OF iu-
g:tive criminals, any thing else embraced IN tie
treaty or in the corresponGence-anc then have con-
vered these differences Of yonr INTO so many facts
md is upon conecurcs like these, il upon such
such differences of your own, that you made the direct
and formal your letter Of the Sd October,
that En gland then urged The United States 10 enter
into conventional arrangement oy which we might
be pledged TO concur with her tor the sup
uressin of the slave trade. I'll! then had executed
our laws, IN our own way. But yifidiEg 10 th's
aoplca'ion AID departing !!"m our former principle
II ;roid.ag European comt'naiiaaS n3on suJ"c'f not
American, s:ipuiaicd IN solemn treaty iha. We
wuua carry into cisc. o:n laws, and fixed The
nnum force would employ for that purpose.
The President well warranted, therefore, in re-
cuostin- Your serious feconsde ration aud review OF
that statement.
Suppose your letter 60 before Tie public unanswer.
ed aud unconradic,ed suppose it 10 linge itself with
the general political hstory of tie country Official
letter among archives Of the Department oil Slate,
would not The general Of readers understand you
as Iecng acts rather than drawing your own con.
illusions; As sat:ne history Father ihaG presenting
argument: l. is o. al incorrect narrative that the
President complains it i5 tGat yoIr hotel nj Par's.
ven should undertake 70 write history 81 yesy deli
cafe part If negotiation carried AZ Washington,
with which yea had nothing TO Do and oi the history Of
which Won had authentic information; and which
history yo, netrae ii, reflects no, little on The
adence, wisdom, and pubic spirit OF the admins
tration.
as to the history Of this part Of The negotiation, yor
vera not we'll informed. The President cannot but
think il would have been more just in you 10 have re-
Trained from any attempt TO give an account OF IT,
You observe further 81 never mentioned in my de-
spach 10 you, in any manner whatever, that our
Government had conceded to tina. of Eng land he right
to search ships That idea, however, Pervades Jour
letter, and very apparent in tha. part OF which
brings my observation the possible effect OF my views
upon tie English Government. But in this you do
me- though am unintcnonally, great injustice.
repeatedly state :hat the recent treaty laces the rights
Of the parties II found them hy difficulty ~, not
that we have made positive conc?ssnn, but that We
have acted unadyscd!y not making the abandonment
Of this pretension previous condition TO any conven
tonal arrangement upon The general subject
On This part Of your letter must be allowed TO make
remarks. The FIST is, nasmuch rs the treaty gives
no color or preext whatever 10 any right Of searching
ships, declaration against such right wond have
been suitable 10 this ireay than declaration
,ans the right Of s1cAing our towns n lime Of peace,
/ 6 any other outrage.
Tie rrh,s of ne!chan, vessels cf tie r. States On
the HIGH SEAS understood b. this Government, have
been clearly aad idily asserted. As asserted, they Will
be maintained; would dec1raiion, sueh as You
propose have increased lis resolution is ability in
Tn. respect. ne G1Ternmen, c! III United States
rrcs On lis own p"@o., and tie edectiv. support
Of ;he people, 10 successfully all he giIs oi all
its citizens, the well On The land; and 1t
asks respect Tor tnese !s Sot as jpo3 or favor from
any, nation. The Presidents message most certainly
clear declaration Of what the country understands
be its rights and his determination 10 maintain ,hen
no: promise to negotiate for these rights, or 10
endeavor 10 bring other powers into acknowledge
ment of Them either express or implied Whereas, If
understand The meaning of this part OF your letter.
you would have advised that something should have
been offered England which she right have regarded
as n benefit, bu. compiled with such declaration or
condition rs that If she received the boon it would have
been recognition by her Of CHIN which we D;ake
as matter Of right The President view Of the pro-
p,r duiy the Government has certainly been quite
dfsrent E@rr convinced tao. the doctrine asserted
By this Government is the doctrine of the law Of
nations, and feeling tie compe .ency Of The Government
10 upiod and enforce il for itself, he has not sought,
hut on the contrary, he has sedu!oney avoided TO
change this ground, ard place the just rights Of the
country upon the assent, express or implied, of any
power whatever.
The Government thought no sk;ifully extorted pro-
nses necessary IN any such cases. It asks such
-, t. III, ';fv and