Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-09


Same 10 October 90, T."
Same 10 same December II "
| Mr.. Webster 10 Mir Everett (extracD August ~ Z"
Nr. +. Webster TO same do September b. g
Mr Everett TO MIR Webster DO Octnter H.
same 10 same do November =, Is
Same 10 to February 3, lS43
Mr.. Todd To iir Webster do September - iSI2
Mr.. Wheaton 10 do November IL,
Mr. uIsbS;er TO Mr. Cas-
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washiagton, .?prH5 ), 1912 :
Sir: Be- The arrival OF the steam packet d; Boston,
the 9th day OF last month, had tic honor 10 re-.
your several dispatches down to the 26h Of te
bruary. That vessel had been so lang delayed oh her
passage 10 America that after the receipt here Of the
communications brought by her, there not time
pr pare in to reach Boston before the
time fixed for her departure her return The most
was able TO do was 10 write short note to ilr Eve
re, signify that the mail from London had come safe
10 hand
The President has been closely attentive 10 recent
occurrences in Europe, connected with the tea.y al
the FIVE powers al which received copy soon after
signature in December. lie has witnessed with es
pcca interest the sentiments 10 which that treaty
pears To have gwen rise France manifested BY
the debates in the Chambers and The publication of The
Parsian press and he is officially informed of the
course which you felt it to be your duty take blythe
receipt Of copy OF The letter addressed by you to MIR
Guizo, on the 18th Of February.
When the President entered upon the duties of his
present office IN April OF last year, rrespoadence
rs you know, had been long pending and was still
pending, IN London, between The Of the U. S.
and her Britannia Majesty Secretary OF State fer Fo
reign Affairs respecting certain seizures and deeulons
ri American vessels The coast OF Africa, by armed
British cruisers end generally respecting the visitation
and search OF American vessels by snc! cruisers ia
those seas. general appreciation Of Mr. Stevenson
notes 10 the British minister in regard to this su5ipc.
:
the Presidents order, from this Department The state
o things IN England in the early part OF last summer
did not appear 10 favor very uctve continuance or
prose- cution Of this correspondence; and Mr. Sic
venson had already received permission TO return home,
no instructions were addressed 10 him.
! Circumstances occurred, yon are aware, which
delayed Mr. Everets arrival at the post assigned 10
him, Minister 10 London; and, in the meantime, in
lie latter part OF August, the corresponds between
Lord Pa!mers.on and Mr.. Stevenson wac, some hat
Unexpectedly, resumed atfesh, not only the subject
of the African seizures, bat other subjects
mr. Everett arrived IN London only in the latter part
of November, and, IN fact not presented 10 the
Queen until The 10th day of December While we were
waiting 10 hear Of his appearance ct his post the
sion Of Congress fast approaching; and under these
circumstances, the President felt it TO be his duty 10
announce, publicly and solemnly, tie principles by
which the Government would BIZ conducted in regard
The visitation and search of ships al As Of
the most considerable, commercial and maritime states
of the world, interested whatever may in any de-
gree endanger threaten the common independence
Of nations npcn the seas il fit that this Govern.
ment should the sentiments which it has hereto.
fere always maintained, and from which i, cannot,
der any circumstances depart You arc quite too well
acquainted with the language @? the message, which
letter is botomed, 10 need lis rccta! here. Ii ex
presses what consider the true American doctrine.
and that which will therefore, govern us in all future
negotiations on the subject
While instructions for Mr.. Everett were in The course
oi preparation, sanilyIng to him in what manner i!
nigh: be practicable 10 preserve the peace Of the
try consistently with the principle of the message and
ye; to enable the Government TO fulfil all Its du
ties and meet lis wishes, and the wishes of the
people Of the S in regard to the suppression of the
4 frican slave trade il announced that the English
Government had appointed Lord Ashburon as special
minister this country fully authorized 10 treat Of and
definitely Sc tile all matters in difference between the
two countries. OF course, no instructions we're for
warded To Mr. Everett respecting any Of those MAJ;
ters. You perceive, them that up 10 the present mo
mrnt, rest upon the sentiments Of The message
Eevord the fair scope and pnrporl Of that document
a re no, committed, The one hand, the other
We reserve 10 ourselves the uad:mnished right 10
receive offer propositions the delicate subject,
embraced in the treaty the five powers negotiate
thcreupon as may be advised; never departing from
principles, bot DESTROYS, while we carefully main
tain all our rights to The fullest extent OF fulfilling
our duties, alsc as Of the maritime Slaes Of the
world.
Tine President considers your letter TO MIR Guzot 10
have been founded as IT purPor!s, upon the message
delivered by him al the opening cf The present session
Of Congress-as intending 10 give assurance 10 the
French Government that the principles Il t:al message
.aid b. adhered o-and that the Governmont Of lie
ated States would resret to other naons, cape
ciiy France, old ally Of The United States, aud 2
Distinguished champion Of The Lhcrty Of The Seas,
agree any between other States, which
might in lis Influences produce effects unfavora3e to
\ ,,s p.frp
this country itself night not be able acccde.
The President directs me TO say i;at he approves
your letter. and warmly commenta the motives which
animated you in presenting IT. The whole subject Is
now before US here, or will be shortly, as Lord Ashnur
ton arrived last evening and without intending TO in
innate at present, what modes Of settling his point OF
difference with England will be proposed, you may re
ce;ve two propositions rs certain:
lst That in the absence Of Treaty s!ipu!etions, the
United States will maintain the immunity Of merchant
vessels the sea, to the fulles. cx,ea which The law
Of nations authorizes.
ID That, if the Government of the y. ), animated
By sincere desire put end to The African slave
trade shall be induced enter into treaty sPuIatons
for that purpose with any foreign power those st'Pu
laons Will be such as shall be strictly limited 10 their
trne and single object such as sL: mol he enhaross
ing 70 innocent commerce, and snch aifecGliy, a:
shall neither imply any inequality, nor can tend ii any
way establish such inequality IN their PRACTICAL ope
| ratirns
You are requested 10 communicate 'ese sentiments
to Mr. Guzn,, at The aahie time that you signify
TO him the Presidents appreciation of your letter
and are requested TO add an expression of the
sincere pleasure which il gives the President e
see the conslan. sens;b,y Of the French Govern
ment TO the maintenance of the great principles o
national equality upon the ocean Truly synpathizine
with that Government in adherence Of The African
slave trade he appreciates the high motives end ,hs
comprehensive views Of the true, permanent intere
Of mankind, which induces il to act with great caution
in giving lis sanction measure susceptible of inter
pre,atons, or Of modes Of execution which might b.
in opposition TO the independence Of nations and The
freedom Of the seas.
| am, &c.
| LEWIS Cas-, Esq, DO, &c, DC.