The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-03-10

against The grOssest abuses by parties interested in
this inquilous traffic, considering that we are now
the advocates of principle necessary for the inter-
ests and security of all maritime nations it is my
duty 10 state, in the face Of the House Of Com
mons, that the claim 10 the right Of visitation con-
tended for in the despatch Of Lord Aberdeen has
i not been reIlnqulsed; that on this subject there
was made no concession whatever, and that 10 The
principles laid down in the despatch Of Lord Ab-
erdeen we adhere at this moment. CHEERS from
both sides OF the house.)
! With respect to the treaty which we have enter
ed into with the United States, in signing thai, trea-
ty we consider that we have abandoned no right
OF visitation We do not understand from the Uni
ted States that they entered into thar treaty with
any engagement from US 10 abandon the right Of
visitation, which is not necessarily connected with
the question of the slave trade. We thought that
1t was step in advance when the United States
protested readiness to delach naval force to
the coas! of Africa for the purpose of suppressing
the slave trade. We did not accept the deluch-
ment of that naval force as an equivalent for any
right which we claimed; yet still we thought that
for great country like the United States TO take
that step with US on the coast Of Africa, although
the power Of visitation is limited under the treaty
in such case, although we claim no right TO visit
slayers, bona iide American, and the right is TO be
exercised by vessels Of the United Slates-we
thought il, | say, a step in advance toward The III
limale suppression Of the slave trade 10 accede 10
the proposition of the United States.
But in accedng to that we have not abandoned
our claims in the slightest degree, nor did it ever
make any part Of our intention, during the contro-
yersy, to abandon the right TO which we lay claim
in the despatch have mentioned. clear, hearD
We have not contentcd ourselves, sir, with leaving
this fact TO become known by declaration in tins
house; but since The appearance Of the Presidents
Message, we have taken an opportunity Of intima-
tiny TO the United States tho construction we place
on the treaty (Cheers,) trust, sir, that have
said enough TO satisfy the house on this point;
trust, also, that although compelled to ayow ma
ternl difference of opinion between the two gov
ernmcnts upon this particular question, | havc
stated this difference Of opinion with respec,
which | wish to maiNn towards the high
authorities of the United States Olcnr hcar)"
The President of the United States France, in
deed all Europe, regarded the question as settled,
as far rs American vessels were concerned. If
Lord Ashburlon thought differently, he would cer-
laiuly have referred, in his correspondence 10 the
despatch of the Earl of Aberdeen.
That France regarded the Treaty of Washing
ton rs settlement Of this question, advantageous
TO America, is clearly demonstrated b, the follow
ing proceedings in the CHI Of Deputies, on
the 18th uIl.:
"On The 18th some discussion took place on the
right Of Search
NJ. do Monherry desired that some inquiry
should be made to the Cabinet in regard to the
right of search
NJ. dc Roc0ueyle thought tina, it was necessary
to express in the address On answer to the Kings
specify The desire that negotiations should be
opcncnd with England, for the purpose Of abolish
ing the slave trade by other means than the right
of search In the present state Of public opinion,
n modification orthc treaties Of 1881 and 1888 was
necessary.
NJ. Inlandc declared that the treaty Of 1881
was a serious insult to the dignity Of the navy and
the treaty of 1888 no less serious assault on the
safety Of our commerce. lie was deslrcous that
while proceeding with extreme caution, THEN en-
tire repeal should be brought about. The treaties
on the right Of search appeared TO him so dagger
Gus that he was less astonshed at the abuses that
had taken place under them, than that they were
not more frequent.
NJ Nome de Ia S2cranne desired the complete
abrogaIion Of the right Of search.
VI. Cunin Gridanc replied that the Ministers
considered themselves bonnd to the treaties OF 1881
and 1888 That circumstances did not Justify their
violation, that France having strictly executed
ihem would demand their equally strict execution
ly the powers allied with her in those treaties.
NJ 0di'lon Burrot. lis not the extension given
to the limits IF the Treaty Of ISL, which caused
the amendment unanimously adopted by The
! tnlmnpT, N WAS the UsSlHl On lUc NIufpthuNHNo
of the ilr, the abuse which had taken pace OF Il
right, eAhorbilan, in ITSELF and consideration Of
what was due to the preservation of peace between
the two countries, which was Threatened by con-
tnuance Of the reciprocal right of search. Tho
Chamber must express itself decidedly OH the pin
clpe Of this right, on the necessarily temporary
and rcyocablc character OF treaties, and on the de-
termination of France to place herself IA tit same
position as EHglaHi and The CHltt States hea
done By their late treaty."
| Many other members expressed Themselves also
in favor of treaty on the subject Of tie slave
trade, similar TO that idirly cHisrb into 0eiTcen
The United States and Eng'a7A."
Such expressions prove that France regards the
late Trcary as czrmpting America from the nIbi-
unry claim set upby England 10 subject the pow
ers of the earth to her 'rule" on the seas. "
America had no, successfully asserted its right 10
the free and unmoescd navigation Of tho high
scas-ir il had not obtained an exemption from the
humilialing process imposed by the "alsires5 OF
the seas :" on all other maritime powcrs-in shorl
if :here were no privileges in this respect nchlev-
ed by the late :reaty-ihen why should France and
other nations demand to be placed upon the same
grounds which Sc occupy?
And vet sir Robert Peel, who is virtually at tho
head of the British Go?ernment, declares explicit
ly that ..we have not waived one Of the principles
commended for in the Fright OF 'lSatIon,' ahd
in,u,ates TO France that America does not enJnyn
single privilege on the high seas, not granted ny
,he s,niistrcss Of the seas to other powers.
Bu, the mos; amusing part OF Sir Robcri
speech, is the considerdic and Pnfroni:!1g dec
lnra,cn, that awe claim the right to know wheih'
or a grierous rroag has not been Indicted on IRE
American nacr' And hence they wou'l board
our vessels anI make search 10 ascertain inc iacE
What control has England over our hag' Oni FLAG
lrno1rrrrptTsrLr DURfTG THE LAST WAR.
We had supposed we were an INDErEYDr r,
- and no longer tributary TO. or under the
n,,en,,I protection Of our cruel old mother We
had ,hongh we could reseht and rcdress any
,.r,ieyous wrong offered US by any nation, our
saiyps.