Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-03

The RIGHT OF VIsIT.--Lord Brougham,
in the recent debate in the British Parliament
upon the Ashburton Treaty, admitted that there
was no distinction between the Fright OF
search" and fright of visit" His views on
this important international question were thus
eXPressed-the language being as clear and as
forcible as that adopted by American writer's.
''As 10 the distinction between right OF
search and right of visit he discarded it as
unworthy OF notice, the only difference being
that one was English and The other French.
We did not claim the right TO search
vessels, in the proper and technical sense OF
the word, because we had no treaty with A
merica, as we had with France, by which a
search was permitted with certain too narrow
restrictions America had never conceded this
point, and we never claimed it, so that there
could be no question between US on that head.
Even though the vessels should be brlmful
of slaves, every one of whom had been put "a
board by an act of piracy, accompanied in all
probability, Iy murder az well as plilage, and
attended by the most grievous lnficuons Of
cruelty though each OF the men on
board the ship was pirate, and liable to the
penalty of piracy under his own government,
still we had no right to stop her if she were tru-
ly American.
The question was not as to the right 10 WIS.,
it, but as to the RICH, Of ascertaining under
circumstances of grave suspicion, at the risk
Of affording indemnify in case of error, the
identity OF vessel. President Tyler said
Not only was the right of search properly
so called, but even thar of mere visit and in-
quiry"-Wh ale disclaimed--given up aban-
doned! No; but asserted, with qualifications
inconsistent with the idea Of a perfect right
Why, who ever said that we had a perfect
right Who ever pretended to say that we had
a right TO stop any vessels save our own and
those of France; who have conceded to US the
right by treaty. Nobody ever whispered any
thing OF the kind
Ii the positions taken by Lord Brougham
in the above extracts from his speech, are those
of the British Government, then there need be
no aprehensions of future difficulty on this
qoestlon. IfGreat Britain admits that she has
no right to search, visit, deiain or interfere
with American ships, whilst on the high seas.
then there is an end OF this vexed point. If by
any accident an Engligh officer should uespsss
upon an American veSse. and The uespass
should be promptly and fully acknowledged
and adequate remuneration for all damages,
together with proper apology for the offence,
be given TO the American Government, then
we should be justified in asserting, whatever
may be said TO the contrary, tina, our '.ancient
foe" has abandoned her naughty position, and
and admitted the correctness of the American
doctrine. Il is impossible for any nalion as
well as individual to guard against all acct
dents, or provide for unforeseen emergencies
Ii England discams the RICH, to search, WIS.,
il or stop American vessels, she cannot justly
any act of her officers by which our flag shall
be violated. She has abandoned her former
position andl given up the principle for which
she con,ended so slrenuously not many years
ago. All encroachments on our right or viola
lions OF our flag will be promptly atoned for,
by the officer OF full indemnity. No matter to
what subtle reasoning British DipIomalsts
NAV hereafter resort, the right of search" or
''rissi OF visit" has now become obsolete and
been exploded on both sides Of The Atlantic.