Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-31
SOUTH CARoLINA AND ENGLAND.

The British Consul residing Charleston flor North and
South Carona has addressed letter the Governor Of
South Carolina inviting his consideration and that of the
Legislature the laws Of the State undcr which class
of Her Britannia Majesy's subjects entering The guar
antee Of national treaty. the ports of South Carolina In
trading vessels In Distress taken from the protection
of the British ag and imprisoned in the common ails until
the moment Of their ships departure"
The consul Mr.. George B. Mathew, argues that tho Bri.
sh policy in regard to the admission Of and ee
the great products of State been liberal towards
South Carolina end adds the following:
N B. Ms government seek this reciprocity In the
s,'ie,ed trade Of H. B. Ms West Indian colonies, with all
on .hsr imports for -four cattle SALT provisions and
uHoef ana to their small numerous vessels necessarily
~ mixed and colored creoes the ports of North
| all seasons accessible - - ~ - =
our E1ceiency and the Legislature will the undersgn-
ed cannot doubt concur with him In he pen.r, intentional
understanding cf the powers or no rcoj,nns
with treaties namelyhut such nermanent rsomaIion.
snoua ex'ena 10 the restrictions they impose
natives OF the spot where they are enforced nf
| class and calling, and no more. :
The undersigned INDUCES In the hope ,ha, ndsr
circumstances the Legislature of South Carolina viii sea
fit to abogate amend snch portion of The law as applies
TO the subjects Of foreign allied powers and viii Tins
strengthen The existing bonds of commerce. of fcndshin
and OF mutual good faith with kindred nation.
[signed GEORGE B. MATHEW"
Governor Means replies Dec Is, taking Occasion TO
sure H. b. Ms consul Of The friendly feeling entertained 10
his by the State which he has the honor 10
preside and that disposition cxas do anything thai
might tend 10 disturb the amcabe relations existing be
tween the two governments. The law alluded TO- the Le
gaure of South Carolina deemed necessary enact from
considerations Of safety the Institutions of the State and
with view Of imposing any unnecessary restraint upon
the scasn claiming the protection Of the flag Of any friend
y power"
Dec II second letter is written by the consul the Gov
ernor from which quote,
"The undersigned would merely DESIRE In continuance Of
his note Of the l4h nst TO request tho consideration Of
your Excelency and Of the Legislature the opinion oil
the lutte Attorney General Writ elaboratey written, under
the command OF the Hon. J. c. Adams President Of tho
United States and printed In Eiols American DDlom.
Code (appendix vol p 676 concluding 10 the following
forcible language:
az am OF opinion that the section of the law under
sideraon Is pod for being against the constitutional treaties
aud law of the United States, and Incompatible with the
rights Of all nations in unity with the United States
This opinion your Excelency will The Undersigned con-
ceves hold be well founded tho supreme power of
briefly but deci.vey laid down by Wheaton in his Elements
international Law, who states page l22 chap part
under the head Of the Rights Of preservation and nde
pendent, of nations:
""he only exceptions the application of these general
rules arise out compact such treaties Of alliance guar
antee or mediation which the State ITSELF whose
are in question, has become party
"hc undersigned feels fully assured that Her Majesty
government may confidently rely the justice and good
faith Legislature of South Carolina from the
present the operation OF which he apprehends
will on examination be found liable (by the individual a
on II cause) TO erece the results designed 10
preclude
[signed.I GEORGE B. MATHEW"
TheN Y. Evening Pos, publishes from Lord Pal
merston relating the imprisonment Of British subjects
10 South Csrolna" which shows (says that REASONABLE
abolition journaD that the British Government not
sleeping on the outrage" inrs that Consul Mathew