Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-01-21

keep up for five years squadron OF nos
less than eighty guns on the coast OF Al
RIGA, to enforce separately aud respectively
the laws and obligations of each OF 'he
countries for the suppression OF the Save
trade. 1t is carefully worded, TO make
it mutual, but at The same time separate
and independent; each looking 10 the ex-
ecution of its own laws and obligations,
aud carefully excluding the supervision OF
either over the other, and thereby direct
ly rebuttjng the object of search or vista
ton.
The other article, in reference to the
same subj ect stpulates that the parties VIII
onite in all becoming representation ana
rcmonstrance, with any powers, witn'n
whose dominions markets are permitted
for imported African slaves. Ii ne were
to permit his feelings to govern him ~exciu-
sively he would object 10 this more strongly
than any.other provision in the treaty
that he was opposed to the object or the
policy of co.ing the market to imported
negroes; on the contrary,he thought it'both
right and e,pedient in every view. Brazil
aud the Spanish colonies were the only
markets, he believed, still remaining open,
and to which this provision would apply.
They were already abundantly supplied
with slaves, and he had no doubt that sound
policy on their part required that their
markets should be finally and effectually
closed. He would go farther, and say,that
it was our interest they should be. ltwould
free free US from the necessity OF keep
ing cruisers on the African coast, to pre-
vent the illegal and fraudulent use Of our
flag, or for any other porpose but to pro-
tect our commerce in that quarter--a thing
of itself much to be desired. We would
have a still stronger interest, if we were
governed by selfish considerations. we
are rivals in the production of several ar
ticIes, and more especially the greatest OF
all the agricultural staples--cotton. Next
to our own country, Brazil possesses the
greatest advantages for its production, and
is already large grower OF the article;
towards the production of which, the con-
tinuauce of the market for importedslayes
! from Africa would contribute much. But
he would not permit such considerations
to influence him in voting on the treaty.
He had no objection to see Brazil develop
her resources TO the full; but he did be-
lieve that higher considerations, connected
with her safety, and that m the Spanish
colonies, made it their interest that their
market should be closed against the tral-
fc.
But he may be asked, why, with these
| impressions, should he have any objection
to this provision Of the treaty? TWAS, be-
!, cause he was averse TO interfering with
other powers, when it could be avoided.
1t extends even to cases like the present,
j where there was q common interest in
reference TO the subject of advice or
remonstrance; but it would be carrying
his aversion to fastidiousness, were he to
permit it 10 override his vote in the adj
| iustment of questions of such magni-
tude as arc involved on the present occa-
sion.
But the treaty is opposed, not only for
what il contains, but also for what it does
moi; and, among other objections of the
kind, because it has no provision in refer
ence to the case of the Creole, and other
similar ones, He admitted that it is an
objections; and that it was very desirable
that the treaty should have guarded, by
specific and efficient provisions, against
the recurrence of such outrages on the
rights of our citizens, and indignity to our
honor and independence. If any one has
a right 10 speak warmly on this subject he
was the individual; but he could not for.
get tnat the question for us to decide is,
Shall we ratify or reject the treaty? tits
not whether all has Teen done which it
was desirable should be done, but whether
we shall confirm or RE- ect what has actually
been done; not whether we have gained
all we could desire, but whether we shall
retain what we have gained. To decide
that as it ought to lie, it is our duty to
weigh, calmly and fairly, the reasons for
: and against the ratification, and TO decide
in favor of the side which prcponder-
ates.
1t does not follow that nothing has been
done IN relation TO the cases under con.
sideration, because tho treaty contains no
provisions in reference to them. The fact
Is otherwise. Much, very much,ha been
done-in his opinion, little short, in its
effect, of positive stipulation by the treaty
10 guard against the recurrence of such
cases hereafter. To understand how
much has been done, and what has been
gained by Us, it Is necessary to have a
correct conception of the state of the
+ case in reference t. them, before the ne
It goiia.ion commenced, AID since it termn-
ated.
d There cases arc not Of recent origin
l. The first OF the kind was that Of brig Co
i eft, which was strT uded on the false KEY
lie OF the BAHAMAS, as tar back as l630,w
ID saves on bnard. She was taken iato Mas
81 sau, New Providence, by the wreckers, an