The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-19
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.

THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON
MIR. Benton construed the Sh article Of the
Treaty as some Of the British presses did-thal
it psrmiued the cruisers of Great Britain to
search or visit American vessels and taking
this doeged stand against his country, he con
liuurd bis gross assaults against MIR. Wells
the Administration, and Mr.. Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun says, in reference 10 this arti.
Gle:
II IS objected that the arrangement entered into
IS virtually an acknowledgement of the right Of search
lie did not SO regard IT, Ga the contrary, he con
sidered H. under all the circumstances, a surrender
Of That claim on The part of G,ea Britain a ooDclu-
sion which review of the whole transaction, IN his
opinion, would justify. Lord Palmerston, in the
first place, claimed the unqualified right Of search,
in which il is understood he was backed by the five
great powers. Lord Aberdeen with more wisdom
and moderation explained il TO mean the right Of
visitation simply and, finally The negotiation Is closed
ouhoM reference 10 either, simply wah stipulation be-
hoeen The parties 10 keep ptor flee years squadron Of
mol Tess Than eighty guns The coast o .ea 10 enforce
separately and respectively The los and obligations Of each
Of The countries for The suppression Of the slaUe bade
II rs carefully worded, TO make il mutual but at the
same time separate and Independent each looking to
the execution of its own laws and obligations aud
carefully excluding the supervision Of either the
o"p, anu uSIeoJ uHcctiJ TtDutiWB inc oDJcct oi
search or visitation"
Viewing the Treaty as whole-considering
all the subjects embraced 10 its provisions-Mr.
Calhoun thus expresses his opinion
"On reviewing the whole, and weighing the rea-
for and against its ratification cannot doubt that
the former greatly prtpoaderae If have not gained
all that could be desired, hare gained much that is
desirable; and, If all has not been settled much has
beenand that, not Of little Importance. II is not of
little Importance 10 have the Northeastern boundary
setedand that too, Nth the consent Of the States i'm.
medidtey inter sied subject which has been in dis
pute almost from the origin Of the Government, and
,hch had become and entangied and adrerse
TO our claim every attempt heretofore made 10 settle IT,
Nor u II OF little Importance to have the whole line
OF boundary between us and the British dominions,
from the source Of the st. Crox TO the Rocky noun
tains, settledd line Of more than three thousand miles
with many disputed points of long standing the
Element of which had buCled all prepious attempts Nor
is il OF little importance to have adjusted the eDa,1ass
Dlenis relating TO The .4fiic, Stare ade by adopting
the least Objectionable of the alternatives Nor to
have the principles of the law of nations for which
contended, in reference to the Creole and other
cases Of the kind recognised BY Great Brain nor 10
have solemn pledge against their recurrence with
reasonable assurance of satisfactory stpulations by
treaty. Nor is OF little importance to have by the
settlement OF these lnveterate and difficult questions
the relation OF the two countries settled down in
amty and peace ainiiy and peace as nay
be hoped-in the place Of that doubtful unsettled cond
tio bereen peace and lcar uhch has for ma Yeays
characterized it, and iohich hostile 10 the Interests and
prosperity Of both countries"