The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-05-13

In a speech. in the House Of Lords 5th o ctober
l8&I Lord Brousham said that question had arisen
whether ali as been lawful since the abolition act
meaning, Of course, the law aboll'hing the slave
trade-ior a British subject 10 purchase slaves, or
voluntarily 10 make himself the holder OF slaves to
buy slaves or TO sell slaves in foreign country" He
declared his opinion that il Illegal but said that
many respectable persons entertained different
opinion, and that large sums Of money had been so
the necessity of passing law prevent such deal
ing 10 slaves, and he introduced bill fer that pur-
pose This bill sets out by declaring that there
were doubts 10 the construction of the act 5th
Geo. 4lh and made the holding dealing in slaves
in foreign slayeholding countries a felony. Now
mark the fact. II came into the House of Commons
where il was opposed by Mr.. Mdmay, the son-in.
law Of Lord Ashburton, on the ground that no mar
could enter into trade with any country between
Virginia and Brazs, who did not the risk Of fall
ing under the penalties OF the bill seeing the Spa
nads, Frenchmen, and Others getting securities for
their debts and payments for their advances, which
the bill would withhold from the English merchant
The bill was then r, committed Attorney enera
the law officer of the Crown, was consulted-al that
part which doubted the legality Of holding dealing
in slaves in foreign countries stricken out-the
act of 5th Geo. 4,h SO modified re conciled ii with
the purpose intended, and the following added as
5th section:
3" Prorided al.says, and be IL en- tltd, That in all
cases in which the holding taking Of slave, shall
not be prohibited by this any other act of ParIia
meat il shall be iacfd TO sell or transfer such slaves
amy thing in any other act contained notwitli'tand-
ing"
The 9th section was also amended to autho-
rize any British subject 10 sell any slave slave,
which lawfully in his possession at the lime OF
the passing of the act which such person shall OF
may have become possessed of or entitled unto bona
de prior to such sale by inheritance devise, beques
marriage, or othe,teise, by operation 'JlW."
| When these amendments came before the House
Nr. HAYES inquired their effect, and The Attorney
General said The object was to guard againt any
Indirect encouragement of the slave trade, but at the
same time 10 enable British subjects in Stare dealirg
cou,rie, 10 recover debts due them by the admin hdiion
| of the iaio '!!!
Here is a commentary on the motives which regu
late the action of England = She declares her wish
to abolish slavery wherever it exists Such the
words OF the Attorney General himself, repeated by
Lord Aberdeen; but she repeats the law iorbidding
British subjects to hold 10 deal in slaves in slave
holding countries, because il was found expedient to
authorize them to purchase and sell slaves to enable
them to collect their debts
Do you not see that this act proves that the
object of England is TO enrich her subjects that
the rights of the slave depends upon the interest OF
A. 4 ho far Ann ri
can to own slave how be right for his English
creditor to purchase him Why does this English
law authorize the English creditor to purchase and
to sell that which the English Government would
deny the right of the American debtor TO own
And yet Colonel Benton would defeat the treaty
becau,e Mr. Calhoun denies the right Of England 10
interpose her influence with Mexico TO accomplish
the abolition of slavery in Texas, because Lord Abb
erdeen says that England will not interpose improper
IN and you, q Southern Senator, are invoked to
unite. with him in defeating the Trcsy, because Mr.
Tyler has attempted to create new issue that may
operate on the Presidential election !!
| Colonel Benton has morbid hostility to Mr.. Cal
houn. Hi, passion and prejudice pervert his judg-
| ment He seeks the election Of Mr. Van Buren,, and
wishes to postpone the annexation Of Texas until
ne II year! that he may use il as political capital in
bis own canvass for the Presidency but will you
permit any considerations connected with this or any
other election to defeat the present treaty when you
are admonished that England has 80 deep interest
in defeating t-that her purpose is hostile to the
interests Of your constituents, and that the consequent
ces Of delay will be fatal to tie peace and prosperity
Of the country
Truly, yours,
DUFF GREEN