The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-04-29
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
sLAvE-TRADE SUPPRESSION BILL

SLANE-l RADE SUPPRESSION BILL
HOUSE. OF LORDS, Aug. TO- 1889.
Upon the motion Of the Earl Of MSro, the bill
was read O third time.
The Duke Of WELLINGTON said that he had pre-
cisely the same objection to the bill in its present
shape which he had expressed upon IFS second read
ing He was altogether opposed to the principle Of
the bill He could not help thinking that, before the
bill was brought TO its present stage their Lordsbips
ought TO have received some intimaton of Her Ma
jestys intentions with reference TO this subject that
they should have received something more than the
small amount Of information which had been given
by the Noble Earl opposite, who was the individual
TO whom the exercise of the authority given under
this bill would be intrusted. In pursuance Of the
long established usage their LorJships ought have
receiv d, by way of message, communication OF
Her Ma esty int ntous, before they were called on
TO take this very serious step; and It had been his
impression that such would be the case. Hear
He must say that he did not think the bill as in the
least improved. that any Of the objections to il
were removed The measure still retained It's crimi-
nal character-n breach OF the law Of nalons-a
breach Of treaties entered into between England and
other countries The vessels Of other countries were
made liable by the bill To be detained, boarded
searched, and their papers examined by cruisers and
other vessels commanded by persons in Her Males
tvs service. lie contended that such detention
boarding, and searching, which was absolutely ne
cessary 10 order TO ascertain whether the vessel was
SLAYER or not, was contrary To the treaties which
had been entered into between Her Maiesty's Gov
eminent and nearly all the powers Of Europe and
that such measures must lead 10 discussions Of the
most disagreeabe nature. In his opinion it would
tepd more to injure the very object which was held
out by the measure itself than could possibly sery.
| II. lie would put case, which he was convinced
that no Noble Lord would say might not probably
occur. He would suppose a French vessel sailing IN
30 degrees OF longitude calculated from the meridian
Of Paris. lie would suppose that this vessel was de.
tanned, boarded and searched by one OF Her Males
mr. Inv ma Of h. fb.. Il,
were under the command Of persons employeJ in
Her hlajesiys service. He asked their Lortlsbips
whether this would or would not be a breach of IA,
treaty between this country and the King of the
French and whether, IN case Of Spanish vessels it
would not he breach Of treaty with Her C,thoIic
Majesty Heal, and cheers The persons to whom h,
had alluded as being IN Her Majestys service. and
ntrusted with the command Of these vessels were
very large and,be believed very respectable class.
bu' they were not commissioned Office in her Ma
J,sys service t]earl Nothing could be more
delicate than the execution Of Offices Of this descrp
ton and II might happen that French merchant YES
sells might be searched under the outhor,ty of ,b,s
act OF Parliament, in way TO involve a breach of
the treaty made with the King Of the French for the
very purpose Of putting down this traffic in slave.
yet their Iordships were called on to pass nm az,
which would give occasion TO this very breach of
treaty No doubt, they must indemnify the parties
engaged IN these captures and prevent them from The
Inability oil being punished in a court of Justice
'h"' h' 'p"irnoso TOT was, t'1t these ought
not 10 be put in situation which would render them
liable TO commit such mistakes. The Government Of
The country must eventually suffer from tho irritation
which THIS attempt must necessarily produce in the
ports OF other countries with which we were now in
alliance. There was a municipal law in Portugal
winch The subjects Of that Crown violated when thew
engaged IN The slave traffic as well as the treaty with
Srcs' Britain And yet this was the mode rate coursc
OF Justice Of the British Parliament Really he IN.
Doks OF Wellington could not consen, TO bill Of
ths description. In his opinion, the foundation of
The political power Of this country was il. moderation
and us Justice and, in his opinion also. IL modera
uon ard justice were banished iron, the dnIo,nacy
and acts OF all the councils in the world tina, vessels
engaged ~ commerce las we understood ought IN
ma an asylum in the councils Of the British Govern
men, and, instead Of passing this bill TO nut down
'na' uafhc, which certainly Infamous IL the Co
,e'ni.p' nad taken the more manly course of
VINO REUSED or neglected I, perform their trea;c.
wan ,his country, there could be no doubt but tina,
y. return oil post they won learn that thew he'd
e"eeted lhe object which the noble lords oorr,.;t.
nso ~ view. (Hear) Looking back 10 he nroh-
aoy OF ths exercise Of the right OF ,earch b. me
tended 10 many powers with whom thi. couo,r, had
no treaties whatever, and ring tina, The cyc,
es.Juoge VINO hsd ever presided In the Court OF Al
mrsy had held that search 10 be ILLEGAL 4, ,;,,. -
peace, he thought their lordShps oueb, 10 h, r,o.,
cautious on This subjects subject bicb he EARNESTLY
recommended noble lords opposite well TO co,s;d,
before they proceeded to carry this bin in ,x 81,
pon. Hcwoud not make any professions of an ami |
sV 70 put down the slave trade lie had r.s.r,l /.
,ohg 'te OF honor in the service Of her Ms.-y,.
oecesso,s Tie had served her MsIes,ys prcd.ee
W oP'omauc situations, aud IN their councils "a
We" 10 arms and be believed peope could not