The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-31

by France and the manifesto lions OF public opinion
against il are 80 numerous and decisive that II seems 10
he too clearly the part of true wisdom TO yield TO Them
TO render II probable that thai measure VIII ever DC
adopted. !, ,
MIR Guizot has not answered my letter of the 18th
February, and have now no expectation he will do So
till the OF government upon the subject is
known here have yet received nothing IRON you upon
the subject, but expecting every day your instruc
lions Ii the President should disapprove the step l
have taken could longer remain here, with honor to
myself, or with advantage to our country
am, sir very respectfully, your obedlent servant
Hon DANIEL WEBSTER
Secretary of State, Washington
Mr.. Webster to DR.. Cas-.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April 5, 1912
SIR: By the arrival of the seampacket at Boston, on
the 9th day of last month"; had the honor to receive
your several dispatches down to the 26h Of February
That vessel had been long delayed on her passage 10
America that, after the receipt here OF the comminca-
ions brought by her. there not time to prepare an
swes in season reach Boston before the time liked Tor
her departure on her The most was able to do
was to write short note to Mr. Everett to SIGNIFY that
the mail from London had come safe to hand.
The President has been closely attentive to recent oc
currences in Europe connected with the treaty OF the
five powers, OF which we received copy soon alter s
signature in December He has Witnessed with especial
interest the sentiments to which that treaty appears to
have given rise in France, manifested by the debates
in the Chambers, and the publication OF the Panslan
press and he is officially informed OF the course
which you felt to be your duty to take, by the receipt
of copy OF the letter addressed BY you to Mr. Guzo
on the 18th of February
When the President entered upon the duties of his
present Office April of last year. correspondence as
ou know had been long pending, and was still pendng
London between the minister OF the United States and
her Britannia Majestys Secretary OF State for Foreign
Affairs respecting certain seizures and deentens OF
American vessels the coast OF Africa, by armed Brit
sh cruisers and generally respecting the visitation and
search of American vessels by such cruisers in those
seas. general appreciation OF Mr.. Stevenson's notes
to the British minister in regard to this subject was
after communicated TO that gentleman, by the Pres
dents ORDER from this department The state of things
in England in the early part OF last summer did not APP
pear TO favor very active continuance or prosecution OF
this correspondence; and Mr. Stevenson had already
received permission to return home no new instructions
were addressed to hun.
Circumstances occurred, as you are aware which de-
layed Mr. Everets arrival at the post assigned TO HIM as
minister to London and, IN the mean tme In the latter
part oil August, the correspondence between Lord Pal
merson and Mr.. Stevenson was, somewhat unexpected
ly resumed afresh not only the subject OF the African
seizures, but other subjects.
Mr. Everett arrived in London only in the latter part of
November and, in fact, not presented TO the Queen
until the 10th day OF December. While we were wait
ing to hear of his appearance at his post the session OF
Congress fast approaching and under these crcum
stances the President felt to be his duty TO announce
publicly and solemny, the principles by which the gov
eminent would be conducted in regard to the visitation
and search of ships at AS Of the most consider
able, commercial, and maritime States of the world as
interested in whatever may any degree cndanger
threaten the common independence OF nations upon the
it was fit that this government should avow the
from which cannot, under any circumstances depart
You quite too well acquainted with the language of
the message on which your letter bottomed to need its
recital here il expresses what consider the true
American doctrine, and that which will therefore, govern
US in all future negotiations on the subject.
While instructions for Mr.. Everett were in the
OF preparation, sgnying 10 him in what manner il might
be practicable to preserve the peace OF the country
sstenty with the principles of the message and yet
as to enable the government to fulfil! all its duties, and
meet its own Wishes and the wishes of the people of
the United States, IN regard to the suppression of the
African saverade 1t was announced that the English
government had appointed Lord Ashburton as special
minister to this country, fully authorized to treat of and
demntvey settle all matters in difference between the
two countries OF course instructions forwarded
to Mr.. Everett respecting any of those matters. You
perceive them that up to the present moment we rest
upon the sentiments of the message. Beyond the fair
scope and purpor of that document, not com.
mitted on the one hand nor the other. We
TO ourselves the undminshed right to receive to offer
propositions the delicate subjects embraced in the
treaty OF the five powers, to negotiate thereupon we
may be advised never departing from principles, but
DESTROYS while we carefully maintain all rights to
the fullest extent of fulfilling duties also, one of
the maritime states of the world.
Inc President considers your letter to Mr.. Guzo to
have been founded it purports, upon the message
delivered by him at the opening of the present session OF
Congress; as intending to give assurance to the French
adhered to- and that the government OF the United States
would regret to see other nations especially France,
old ally Of the United States and distinguished champion
OF the liberty OF the seas, agree to any arrangement
between other States, which might in its influences,
produce effects pnfavorabe to this country and which
arrangement therefore, this country itself might not be
able to accede.
The President directs to say that he approves your
letter, and warmly comments the motives which animated
you in presenting it, The whole subject is before
us here, will be shortly, Lord Ashburon arrived
last evenings and without intending to intimate, at pres
ent, what modes OF settling this point of difference with
England will be proposed, you may receive two PROPOSE
tons certain:
LIST That, in the absence of treaty stpuations, the
United States will maintain the immunity of merchant
vessels the sea- the fullest extent which the law of
nations authorizes
ID That. if the government OF the United States, ami
mated by sincere desire to put end to the African
slave trade shall be induced enter into treaty stpula
hons for that purpose, with any foreign power, those
stpuations will be such shall be strictly limited to
their true and single object such shall not be embar
RAISING to innocent commerce, and such especially, as
shall neither imply any inequality tend in any
way to establish such inequality, in their practical opera
tons
You requested to communicate these sentiments to
M Guzot, al the time that you signify him the
Presidents appreciation of your letter and requested to
add expression of the sincere pleasure which it gives
the President to the sensbty of the French
government to the maintenance Of the great prnci
pies of national equality upon the Truly sympa-
thlsing with that government in adherence of the
African trade, he appreciates the high motives and
the comprehensive views of the true permanent interest
of mankind, which induces It to act with great caution
in giving It's sanction susceptible OF intepre
taons, of modes of execution, which might be in
opposition to the independence OF nations and the free
dom of the seas.