The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30
NO. 17S.
BRITISH HOUSE on COMMONS.
" MosDAY, April 20, 1850.

MONDAY, ApTh ~, 1901
Mr. Cockburn asked the noble Secretary for
Foreign Affairs in reference to the case OF the
steward Of the British bsrque Mary Ann, who
had been seized and imprisoned by the authori-
ties of Charleston, Is c. for no specified offence
hut that he WAS q man of color, whether the noble
lord had used any endeavors with the Govern
ment of the United States to prevent British sub
iects from having their liberty invaded and per-
sons incarcerated by SO scandalous a violation of
the principles that should regulate theintercourse
of civilized nations2
Lord Pamerston regretted that the subject to
which the honorable and learned member had
drawn the attention of the House was by no
means new to the Government. Ii was fact
that there existed law in Carolina and Louis
lana by which free men of color, whether foreign
ers or citizens Of some other States OF the Union,
were subject to imprisonment, with view to
their ultimate removal from the territories OF
these States. 1t was unnecessary for him TO ex,
press the opinion which every member who heard
him must entertain with respect to sucn Jaw
In 1877 Der Msjesty's Government caused no's
to be presented to the Government OF tne oni'.u
States, demonstrating against the law Us no. oniy
inconsistent with the established poity Oh nauons'
but at variance with a portion OF the hrst at"
.iaios ~ the treaty of 1915 between Great Brit
DIN and the United States, under which all sub
;acts a,d citizens of the two countries were 10 De
normitted freely to enter, freely to reside In, anu
freely TO quit the territories OF each.
q, St,Is for Foreign Affairs of the Onitea states,
- a .verhal answer, to the effect that the
Federal Government had no power to induce the
LEGISLATORS of the State OF Carolina 10 reVoke .nS
law and that if the British Government insis.eu
on its right the Government OF the on''ou
States would find the question so impossible 10
HAL III - ka
luctantly to take advantage Of the stiPsia"on
contained in the treaty Of 1927, and put an emo
TO the treaty of 1915, upon giving twelve months
notice 1t did not appear to her MsJesty's uoV-
eminent that any commensurate advantages
would under such circumstances, result from fur-
Their pressing the natter
The case referred to above has occasioned some
sensation in England. The support of the stew
ard while incarcerated, was charged to the mas
fer Of the barque, although he was violently de-
nriv.d Of his services On his return to England,
he attempted to deduct this charge from the wa
ges Of the steward, but was compelled, on suit
before one of the courts, to pay him full price
Put the pecuniary inconvenience growing out
Of the South Carolina law, is nothing compared
with its gross violation of the comfy Of nations
and of treaty obligations. Lord Palmerston is
dnpo,pGed by the spirited portion of the English
press for tamely submitting to such an outrage
on the rights of British subjects. Better, it ex-
claims, let the treaty be terminated than tolerate
this infamous conduct on the part of nation
protesting civilization. There certainly is album
dant reason for their Indignation.
We ask the attention Of the American People
TO the reply of Mr.. Buchanan. The Federal
Government will be under the necessity Of ter.
minating a treaty important to the interests of
the People of both countries, should the British
Government insist upon its faithful fulflment in
regard to certain class of British subjects
What humiliating acknowledgment of SUBJ
lection to the power of Slavery
The privilege of the citizens of this country
freely to visit, freely to reside in and freely to
quit the territories of Great Britain, is thought
less of than the contemplate claim of few
shareholders in South Carolina and Louisiana to
incarcerate a black Englisbman who now and
then may enter their ports on shipboard and in
deed is to be utterly sacrificed rather than the
Federal Government should interfere with the
abominable regulations.