The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-03-24

and organized, is likely 10 possess so much weight
with the Democratic party as to usuIe Tor lis can
didaies not only cordial support hut decisive VIC
tory. Sure am, that on This topic, so exciting
over the whole Union, frank liberal, and con-
tiliatory course among brethren Of the same po-
icnl family is fit, and will tend much more TO
produce cooperation and success than any mdul-
genca in sectional Jcalousies, or any perlinaclous
adherance to predictions for ind, iduals, endan.
gering, rs these might, the Triumph not merely Of
our candidates, but ofofour principles themselves,
"gREE TRADE SAILORS RIGHTS"
We are rcoiced to see the patriotic stand taken
by President Tyler in hII late message relative TO
the absurd prclensions of Great Britain TO il right
Of visitation. Had the hravado speech Of Sir Rob-
ert Peel heen answered by Il time.serving policy
which England so well knows how 10 take advan-
tage Of, and which, perhaps, Sir Roberts late sue
cesses IN foreign affairs may have led him TO hope
for. we would have looked upon the field ms lost.
That England, by the late treaty, had ,acnly but
virtually renowned the exercise Of "vSllaliOn,"
was so universally and firmly believed on this side
Of the Atlantic, that this flourish Of her minister
may we'll awaken our surprise and call forth our
Indignation. lie; US then understand tbs question.
England claims right TO visit, 10 enter any any
American vessel (whn certain degrees of latitude
and longude) which her naval officers may have
asuspicioa is engaged in the slave trade. She
does not claim right to search. She even con-
cedes to US right 10 remuneration If we suffer
by detention in consequence Of her right 10 riSit;
hut it is impossible that these rights can exist
togelher-if hers stands perfect, ours must fall
She proceeds upon the ground, that the right to
visit, and right to search, are distinct and indepcn
dent, whereas her greatest maritime juris, O.ord
Stowcll,) has referred them TO tine same original
a bcLligereai caim--and decided them unknown
10 the law Of nalions and truly. it would require
mind that.
A hair twiIt north and north west side"
to distinguish these asserted rights. The RICH, TO
visit is upon suspicon-does tho mere entry re-
move the suspicon' In nine cases out of ten the
majority of an American vessels crew are foreign.
ers born Will this to a suspicious mind, remOre
the doubt? The papers are demanded. But may
they not be folged' A SLAYER too, generally pro.
vided with more Than one set of papers, A well
grounded 'suspicion" will then lead The "cons,a-
bic below matches, and search will follow. to
which his right is as valid was his right of en-
try. Nor is ight to search between decks all
that follows. But once upon the quarterback of
an American vessel, and England claims the righ,
to the perpetual allegiance of any or all Of that
crew, f"SuSpiciOn" proves them TO be English
~
be remembered, that though she has never We! AS
serted her right TO board American vessels for the
purpose of mpressnent, yet she has never surrcn-
dered her right TO impress, if she once gets legal
entry.
But If this right is not given to English cruisers,
SLAYER has only to run up the American nlg and
laugh at the chase! BY no mcans;-,he English
cruiser may boald suspected vessel, but he does
it at his own rlsk,-if his suspicious prove true. his
act will be warranled-if false, he must answer for
the ,respass liza constable ia pursuit of a swim
der disguised in naval uniform, should arrest by
mistake naval officer in like dress, would his mis-
TAKE be pleaded in answer TO an action of false
imprisonment Or ir an American man of.war in
pursuit of pirate, should fall in with n British
man Of war Of the same model aud general an
pearnnce with the pirate, and should throw par
~ of bonlders over his bulwaiks on "susp'cOn, )"
would the British government accept our Fright to
VISIT as an apology for her insulted qnarcr deck
Doubles, The mistake and circumstance, would
be accepted as an apology, in good lecIing-lhe
tfespass would be ''winked at" not denied. And
90, on the coast Of Africa, the English cruisers by
entering an American vessel, for whatever purpose
--imprcssment search, detention, or visit is La
BILE TO the American Government for lrcspass.
though il no loss was suffered, and the mistake
acknowledged, the complaint would probably new
er pass the vessels gangway, or bo noted upon
the log slate.
II is very common opinion, that If this right
was ass 'ncd to by rs, The abuse would not be
ssse nted to by US, The abuse would not be lrc-
quent, a. there are but few American traders with
that coast. 10 say nothing of the pretcx,s which
in any her quarter of the ocean may call up the
exercise of this right it should not be forgotten
that our tade with the African coast, within the
prescribe degrees. is yearly growing in impor-
sanA n.,I L