The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-07
THE DAILY UNION.


the members from the border States, and met with
unanimous concurrence Inc pracucsl results OF
that provision have been fortunate in the highest
degree. All the evils which II sought 10 remedy
have disappeared, and in proof Of the value and
extent Of this deiyerance, will ask reading of a
portion of the governors message on the subject
(The passage was read by the Secretary ! have
now only TO add my perfect convection, that no act
of the legislative, or Of the treaty-making power
has ever been attended by happier and more une-
quiyoeally fortunate consequences than this very
provision, far the peace and safety Of society
on the frontier are concerned.
Mr.. WEBSTER resumed--I am happy to and
that, in its operation the provision has satisfied
those AT whose request i was made But | may
now state, suppose without offence and without
cavil that since the negotiation Of this treaty, con-
tanning this article we have negotiated treaties with
other governments of Europe containing the same,
and that between other governments of Europe
themselves treaties have been negotiated containing
that provision---s provision never before known TO
have existed in any Of the treaties between Euro
pean naiiens. am happy 10 see, therefore, that il
has proved itself be useful TO the citizens of the u
States, for whose benefit IL devised and adopted
that il has proved itself worthy Of favor in the udg-
ment Of the most enlightened nations Of Europe,
and that ii has never been complained Of by any
body except by murderers, and iugtyes, and felons
themselves. Now, sir, comes the matter of the AT
rican squadron, TO which am induced u turn my
attention for moment out of sincere respect 10 the
member from ArlSapsas, Mr. SEWER who sug-
gested the other day that TO that article he had some
objection. There Is no man whose opinions are
more independent than those of that gentleman, and
no maintains them with more candor. But, il |
understood the senator, he appears to think that
that article gave up the right of search. What does
that mean We never claimed that right. We had
no such right TO give up; or does II mean exactly
the opposite Of what he saysl-thst il yielded to
Englandsher claim No such thing, The arrange
ment made by this treaty TO carry into effect
those stipulations in the treaty of Client that we
thought binding on US, well as to effect object
important 10 this country to the interests of human
ty, and TO the general Of civilization through
out the world. The object OF il was TO accomplish
all that in way that should avoid the possibility
Of subjecung our vessels under any pretence TO the
right OF search will notdwel on this But allow me
the sentiments this subject of persons in the
service of the United States abroad whose opinions
are entitled to respect There is letter sent TO the
Department Of State by Mr.. Wheaton, dated Ber-
lin November 10Th, 1912. Mr.. w. read from this
letter extract expressive Of the writer's appro-
baton of this article of the treaty as particularly
well adapted TO the end proposed, and by which for
the first time the policy of the United States in this
respect might be said TO have exercised decided
influence upon that Of Europe | am quite willing,
said Mr.. w TO rest on this opinion Mr.. Wheaton
to the proprety, and safety the security and!he
suppression OF the African slaye-trade by a squad
of our own, against any little artillery that may
be used against 1t yet. beg the genteman's par.
don, did not allude to his opinion, have for him
the highest respect. was thinking of what is said
in some of these documents" But need not stop
England and the United States the States of Europe
there. Upon the appearance Of this treaty between
did alter their treaty stpulatons and their policy
The treaty of lS4l between the Five Powers had not
been ratified by France. There was SO much opposi-
ton to it in France the ground that it gave the
right of search to the English cruisers that the king
and M Guzot though the treaty was negotiated ac-
cording their instructions did not choose to ratfy
it, | have stated the cause Of popular indignation
against it. Well what was done' III tell you
When this treaty of Washington became known
in Europe, the wise men of the two countries, who
wished to do all they could to suppress the African
slave-trade and TO do 1t IN manner expressing in
the highest degree the immunity of the flag of either
the supremacy of either, agreed to abandon the
quintuple treaty Of lS4l-the unratifed treaty-they
gave it up. And have now in my hand the treaty
between France and England, signed in London, on
the 29th May, 1S45, the articles Of which respect.
ing the mannegof PutiPg an end to the slave-trade
treaty of Washington. Thus it had been that
France had borrowed from the treaty stipulations
between the United States and England the mode
Of fulfilling her duties and accomplishing her purpose
in perfect accordance with the immunity of her flag.
Mr.. President, there is another topic on which
have to say few words. 1t has been said that the
treaty of Washington and the negotiations accom-.
panying it, leave the great and interesting question
Of impressment where they found it. With all hu-
mility and modesty, l must beg to express my dis
sent from that opinion. | must be permitted to say
that the correspondence connected with the negoa.
ton OF that treaty-although impressment was not
in the treaty--has in the judgment of the world at
least of considerable and respectable persons in the
world, been regarded not having left
the question of impressment where ii found
it, but advanced the true doctrine in some
degree to higher and stronger foundation.
The letter addressed on that subject from the De-
partment of State, to the British plenipotentiary is
among the documents. | only wish it to be read.
II expresses shortly the course of this government
on that subject. Lord Ashburton had no au.
thorty to settle that question: circumstance
which do not regard, becauseI do not deem the
subject one at all proper for treaty stipula-
ed to-we cannot find room for the extract
The declaration there made, he said, would stand
not on account of any ability in the writer-or
authority in the name subscribed to the letter.
But it will stand, because it announces great prn-
ciples of public law. 1t will stand, because it an
nounces the true doctrine Of the independence and
equality Of nations upon the sea. 1t will stand,
because il announces the determination of the peo-
pie and government of the United States, to MAIN
tain those princples-to uphold these doctrines,
through good report and through evil report for
ever The declaration sir, will stand. Here Mr.
w. referred to the outrages that had been perpe-
trated on board American coasting vessels in their
passage along the Bahamas, from the south to the
southwest and alluded to the case of the "Endymi-
on" He called the senator from South
Carolina Mr.. CALHoUN to say whether he (Mr
w. had not aimed at the object Of preventing the
recurrence of such scenes. Mr.. CALHOUN expressed
his assent. Mr.. w. then thus concluded] l am
ready to put to the people of this country if the
northeastern boundary question has not been settled
honoraby, fairly, and satisfactorily to the States
concerned, and nine-tenhs of the American people.
am ready to put it to the people of this country
whether in the matter of the African squadron, a
great difficulty has not boon removed, the immunity
Of our flag been established, and whether more has
not thus been done towards the accomplishment of
the object than had ever been done before by both
countries. And in regard to the Creole case put
it to the gentleman and every citizen Of the country
whether everything intended to be accomplished by
correspondence and negotiation on that subject has
not been accomplished. And then will put it to
the country, finally, whether what done on that
ccasion--whether the result of talent ar fortune