The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-01-20
Foreign Observation-Disclosures the TIN.
Policy OF America

Policy OF America.
The arrogance and bold interference Of the Bri-
tish Government with the concerns OF other ma
lions, has long been proverbal, and a very prolific
theme for political defamation. There are. conse-
quenty, many intelligent persons who, when they
consider the generally liberal policy of that Govern
ment at home-when they reflect upon the attach
ment TO freedom which has always characterized
her people, and the constitutional liberty for which
they, above all other European nations, have ever
been distinguished-are apt to laugh at the common
use OF such expressions-to regard them as mere
abuse-mere verbiage-ony used for sffect-and
not even believed by those who give utterance to
them. 1t may be- and no doubt it generally is, the
case, that great exaggerations are INDUCED in
among people OF different nations, in speaking Of
each other; men seldom can be cool and temperate
in things in which pride and passion, on both sides,
are so much mixed up We must not, however,
Tall into the error of supposing that common aud
popular propositions are altoge her false, because
we find them often Unexpectedly expressed, or OBJ
truded unseasonably upon our notice.
We have been led to these remarks by an Incl
dent OF recent occurrence-an historical fact =
which strikingly demonstrates the absolute truth of
the common charge of arrogance and unwarrant ed
interterence,so generally brought against England n
this country 1t may TO convince us that truth
ought not always to be rejected because it is some
times dishgured by intemperancs and exaggeration.
The tact to which we refer, as the best demonstra-
ton OF truth rejected by many for no other reason
out because II Is found so often IN the mouths of
the many, is the foowingi-
Some years ago, a treaty was made between
Great Britain and the Imperial Government OF Bra
I'll, tor the suppression Of the slave trade This
treaty was to have force only for certain and def
mite length OF time, when il was to cease and ne W
stipulations or treaties were to be made between
the parties, as they might please Accordingly. the
said treaty did cease and expire on the 18th Of
March, 1915. The treaty being thus defunct, and
no agreement, convention or treaty whatsoever, ex-
listing between the two countries on the subject OF
the slave trade, the British government, in the
month OF August last, passed an act comforting
upon the British Admiralty Courts in all parts OF the
world the right to adjudcate upon Brazilian vessels
engaged in the slave trade; assuming Also the right
OF search, and giving the power to those who should
seize upon such vessels and make them their
prize, also to be the Judges whether they were or
were net engaged in the said trade and any YES
sci having two boilers on board, was to be deemed
AZ engaged in that trade
greater violation of the rights of nations can
hardly be conceived than this act By it. the 90.
vernment of Great Britain assume. authority and
jurisdiction over the subjects and vessels of the Bra
lillian government, and takes upon herself 10 CON.
troll and dispose of the property and persons Of a
foreign people and of another government Itis, in
fact, an act by which England takes upon herself 10
make laws for Brazil, and for and over her people.
and TO dispose of her subjects and their properly
without consulting that government or its people
without even saying, "by your leave, gentlemen .
England might just as well pass a law authorizing
the seizure Of the persons engaged in any Lynch
murder on our borders, and empowering her courts
to seize and dispose OF the property of the
concerned In that atrocty, excusing or justifyine
her act by saying that it was an atrocity Is not
this an arrogance, boldness Of interference un.
heard OF, unparalleled, in,olerabls and outrageous
1t is true the matter is the subject of Diplomatic
controversy-of notes and circumstances passing he.
tween the two governments; and that the Brazilian
Government has duly protested against "a Oh an ACT.
But what avail the protests Of the weak asaln., tina