Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-11
GENERAL CAss,s LETTERS.
.ur. Cass tn Mr.. Uejster.
LrGArio. or ruE US!rrp STATE
D<,rf. ;'.Ly,yur,,i1 $50

GENERAL CASS'S LETTERS.
.ur. Cass n Mr.. Uejser.
LrcArioY or ruE Ux!rrp STATES,
Paris, feJradryl -, 1912
Sir: have moi heretofore considered II necessary 10
write you officially respecting the state OF affairs here,
having relation the question OF the right oil search
depending between the American and British Govern
u,ents But thongs! uo Gi.cet diplomatic acton seem
ed advisable TIL recently did not the less observe the
progress OF events, nor neglect, by proper converse
tons and explanations with those whc from their pc
sition influenced them, convey just notion o: the
subject, in It's relation, not only 10 tie tnted States,
but 10 all other marae powers who do not SEEK tae
supremacy of the Aut have the satisfaction 10
believe that my eXer;ionS we've not wholly Gse.a:s,
either with respect pubic opinion to pGbc nea-
sures. have KEEP, you informed 10 my private corn
municatlons Of the progress OF aa'fS as wei fs O"
my own oi unofficial actior: and have trans
united also such of the French journals seemed, IN
addition 10 the other information, hest calculated to
convey TO YOU correct of the cate OF affairs
here, and OF public feeling.
But have Just taken n step which renders necessa
~ full and free report OF the condition of things
here, and Of the reasons which have led ME 10 adopt
this My letter OF the 18th instant to The Mi
mister OF Fnre'gn Affairs, copy o' which enclose
will make known TO ycu my general sentiments con.
corning the relation in winch We are placed with the
French Government by the signature o: the 4nrntu-
pie Treaty, fer Inc suppression OF the slave trade aud
by the declarations Of Lord Pamers'on and Lord AbcT
deem concerning the measures wh:ch they clam II be
indispensable to It's execution. ] need add nothing
upon this subject
Resitaed, at ii: respecting the true course TO be
adopted That 1t proper 10 bring, officially, 10 the
notice Of the French GOVERNMENT the declaration OF
that of Great Britain, that the conclusion OF these
treaties created obligation and conferred rl.! 10
violate the flag Of the United States, did entertain
doubt. What true OF the duty Of one of the
parties, true of the duty Of each Of them -
Either, therefore, the clam o. Great Britain
we'll founded, and that event the Government Of
pho Ia n: obi ron uhic
might bring II into collision with the United States
result was certain It DID not contemplate; the
claim unjust, aud IN that even, the treaty about
10 be made The preteXt OF direct attack upon cur
rights and honor BY ot the parties assuming 10 b.
governed by the Obligations 1t had contracted to"afd
the other associated powers: state oil things winch
gave US right 10 cali upon them 10 disavow such pre-
tensions and either TO withdraw from arrangement
which was becoming inenacing TO us, or 10 declare
by solemn act tina! vas not susceptible Of such 4
construction and should not, with their consent, be
employed for such purpose. My first impression
was present formal protest against the ratification
of the treaty; bu, considering that had no instructions
take decided asurc, and tina. would be
respectful French Government of whose friend.
ly disposition 10 the L. 5. | have had numerous eyi.
dences and ptoaah; quite useful, 10 state e ne rally
the bearing of the whole matter upon The L. States,
without claiming any spec ic cchon, iaajly dcteran
ed to take th,s and The letter M. aiZ2t
the consequence.
shall proceed 10 make remarks UPON tbs
general subj which may rot be useless the cons'
deraton which The Government Will necessarily give
it. For years the EneiiSh journals have, with
much art, turned the public attention Of Europe from
the great question OF maritime right and OF the free
dom of the seas, involved IN discussions with Grea
Britain, connected with the 10 be adopted io
the suppression Of the slave trade and directed It &c
that Infamous traffic, sometimes asserting and some
times, nsnuatng that opposition 10 the operation
their Government proposed, originated in the msera-
BILE motive of prof-the profit be derived from the
most wretched Of all commerce. But thcrks TO the
progress Of truth, vel! understood
upon the continent of Euronc and as in all sudden
actions where injustice has been unwlincly DONE the
public sentiment here and elsewhere is setting strongly
in our favor. The question has 40. again been pre-
scented either Of the chamber bat the indications in
the journals, and in al sorices toe clear TO he
misunderstood.
Circumstances have placed US a position " hch, il
firmly maintained, will be equally honorable 10
selves and useful 10 all other powers interested IN The
freedom Of the seas Depend upon H. we have reachoc
OF those epochs IN the progress OF nation 10 which
history looks back, If not as decisive Of It's destiny a
all events influencing II, and controlling lis cha
racte and lis condUc, for long Of years Eng
land has advanced pretens'on winch We can neyc;
submit TO without dishonor And IN is enumeration
she has spared our pride as !,le iss GA I'll.
eth August 1911, size ayows the deie:m.ralion ano
claims the right 10 scarc ships; and ;!iS niefpo
laon INTO the las Of aatioas 10 cG;onced with a cooi
which might well surprise rs, # anything could
The pretcnsion is not put forth rs Gebaieabe pon:
TO be discussed between the two Governments and 10
be settled IN 4 mutual spirit Of amy. But Lord Pal
Inerston distinctly tells iha: the exemption OF tae
vessels of the United States rom search doctrine
to chick The British G0rcra1acut can ,rt sui
scribe And ne add, with rare comfy indeed, that he
hopes the Gay not far distant when The GoveEnmen nj
of the L. s will cease 20 conlound tyo things which
are in their entirely different: ,cR ieol to MaeS
and not to trOrd> and becoming wiser from The lessons
thus taught Will suffer the British 10 search
their vessels a; I'll times cnc III all places, and content
themselves with calling il visit : For myself, see
no mutual concession BY which the parties may be
brought together contested territory may DC divided
and clam for pecun7ry injury may he reduced and
satisfied but caGnoi dtgde great prncipc-orc
OF the attributes Of independence nor reduce the
sphere Of its operation. We can only demand is IN
volatility with tls inst consequences. Unde. these
circumstances, the first question is, if shall yield
and that being answered IN the negative | sails
fled IT will be by the universal feeling of the country
tho next is. will England Yield II our safer course
to believe that she viii not; and looking TO her line Of
policy, that too most rational course. Wherever
she has planted her ioo whether on marsh, moor, or
mountain, under the polar circles under the tropics
will not say never, that word does not belong 10 the
deeds Of man. hut rarely has she voluntarily withdrawn
IT. Whenever she has asserted pre,ension, size las
adhered 10 it through evil report and through COED
report in prosperity aGd IN adversely, mh an IRON VIII
and with firm hama, Of which the history OF the
world furnishes perhaps equal example since The
prcudest DAYS of the Roman Empire. In tins con.
ssiencv of purpose and in the excess even OF patriot.
ISM which ministers it. there something noble and
Imposing; md am among the last TO deny The oeant'-
fol traits OF the English character or Inc beneh his
which England has rendered 10 the world by Her ex-
ample and her efforts Bot she not the less danger
Gus in her schemes O. ambition from their redsenne