Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-02
IsiPoRirANT SPEECH
OF SIR ROBERT PEEL on THE RICH

OF SEARCH.
In the course Of debate on The Sd ult in Par
lament, Sir Robert Peel, in reply to member
who had alluded TO the recent treaty, spoke as
follows:
! rejoice that the hon. gentleman has
given me an opportunity Of making some
observations on the late message Of the
President Of the Uuited States. The sim
fcere and honest desire have always en- /
tertained for the maintenance OF good
understanding between this country and
the United States, and the spirit in which
| have always spoken Of America, makes
+ il q doubly painful duty to have 10 refer
TO that message, which, ! am sorry 10 say
does not give acorrect account Of the ne.
gotiations relative 10 the right .of visit
Perhaps | may doright to sonfirm whatthe
honorable gentleman has said, that there
is nothing more distineithan right OF visit
is from the right Of search.
Search il bslligerenl right, and mol 10
be exercised in time Of peace except
when il has been conceded by treaty.
The right Of search extends not onlyto the
vessel but 10 The cargo also. The right Of
visit is quite distinct from this. though the
/ .woS are ofen.confounded. The right OF
search, with respect 10 American vessels,
We entirely disclaim nay, more, if we
knew that an American vessel were fur
nished with all The materials requisite for
the slave Trade, if we knew thatthe decks
were prepared to receive hundreds Of hu-
man beings, within space in which life
is almost impossible, still we should be
bound 10 let that American vessefpass on.
But he right we claim is TO know whelh-
er vessel pretending 10 be American, and
boisting the American flag, be bona fde
American.
There must be some great misunder-
standing upon the subject; but consider
ing the importance Of maintaining this
right-a right no: peculiar to England
considering that we are contending for q
right which is the only security against
fraud, against the grossest abuses by par
ties interested in this Ubiquitous traffic;
considering that we are HE advocates Of
q principle necessary for The interests and
security Of alt maritin9e nstions-it is my
duty TO state, in the face Of the House OF
commons, that the claim 10 the night Of
visitation contenaed for in the despatch Of
Lord Aberdeen has moi been relinquished;.
that on this subject there was no conces-
sion whatever, and that 10 The principles
laid down in the despatch clifford A.ber.
deen we adhere al this moment. (Cheefs
from both sides Of the house.)
With respect, 10 the treaty which we
have entered 10 to with the United States,
in> signing that treaty We consider that
we have abandoned no righ. Of visitation.
We do not understand from the United
States that they entered into that treaty
with any engagement from Us TO abandon
The right Of visitation, which, ifnot neces.
ssriIy' connected withthe question Of the
slave trade, we thought that Il was step
in advance when the United States pro.
fessed readiness 10 despatch naval force
to the coast Of Africa, for the purpose OF
suppreksing the slave trade. We did not
acr1pt)the detachment oitbst Daval force
as az equivalent for any right. which we
claimed yet still we thought that for q
great country like the United States 10
take tia, step with usFon the coast of At
RIGA, although the power OF visitation is
limited unber The treaty 10 such case, al
though we claim no right TO visit slavers.
bona fide American. and the right is 10 be
exercised By vessels Of the United States;
we thought ii. | say, step in advance To-
wards the ultimate Suppression Of the
slave trade 10 sccede 10 The proposition Of
The Udiled States.
Butin accediDg to that We have not aban-
doned our claims IN the slightest degree.
nor did it ever make any part Of our in
ten.ion. during the controversy, 10 aban-
don The right 10 which we lay claim 10
the despatch have mentioned. (Hear.
hear. hear.J We have not coniented our
selves. sir. with leaving this fact 10 be-
come known BY declaration ia this
house; but since the appearance Of the