The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-04
s..., Bsit@ln Carolina I1nprIsen n.snt
Law. l.


We copy below. from The New York Journal OF Com
meee clear statement Of the present stale OF things in
relation to the discussions recently had between the Brit
sh consul at Charleston and the authorities OF the Stale
Of South Carolina upon the subject OF the law OF that
Stale subjeeing 10 Imprisonment for police purposes the
eolored seanen arriving in the ports OF the State:
GRrAr BRnAs AND SoUTH CAROLINA IslpRIsoSaEsT
OF coLoRED sEAMEE'-The law of South Carolina which
subjects coored seamen TO Imprisonment il they enter
within the limits OF the Stale voluntarily from other jurs
dctons applies TO all such PERSONS whether residents OF
The United States or oil otegn parts During the las
wear George b. Mathew, ESQ., British consul for the
States OF North and South Carolina presented to the
public authorities OF the latter State objections TO the act
which were duly considered by the last legislature in the
most respectful spirit 1r eEU
The objections were,slst, that the act violates the
treaty stpuauons between the United States and Great
Britain 2, that il acts with peculiar hardship the
trade with the British West India colonies, manned
chiefly by coored Sd, that tappes TO foreigners
q rule not applicable to natives OF the same class
Ia a report made bya committee OF The South Caro-
lima senate in December last. they take great pains to
show the bona fdes OF the act.
aThe law which we invited TO surrender" they
saw "was originally introduced soon after the detection
ana suppression OF insarretioaary movement deuised
and foot bys free negro, who had been for some
time in the habit OF leaving the State and returning il
at pleasure and whose frequent excursions proved
to be connected with his bloody designs. The law has
existed for nearly thirty years. and during that time no
similar conspiracy has occurred How far it has
tbued 10 this result, cannot pretend to estimate
But we know that the experience Of predece ssors
led them 70 adopt u, and there is certainly nothing inl
our experience to induce us TO abandon It, II was orig
naly enacted, and has been continued solely and excu
svey. Nth view 10 internal good order and
security and without the remotest intention to trespass
upon the rights or obsruct tAe commerce OF any other
people II IL has served in any degree TO preserve the
peace and welfare Of the State, il certainly OF great
importance 10 us, and ought not TO be abandoned on
others"
The report, which is throughout in this spirit, con-
cludes with the following resolutions
" Resolved, That in the opinion Of this legislature the law
OF this State prevent free negroes and other OF
color from entering into the same does not conflict with
United States with constitution United States
any law made in pursuance thereof
Rssoiusd, That Il Is inexpedent to repeal or alter the
Rtsoiusd That his exceency the governor be request
ed the foregoing resolutions to her Br
tannc maiesy's government, through her consul
them thai The law which exception has been taken
BRUSH nation any desire embarrass their
merce offend their just PRIDE but because is deemed
important 10 The nleal peace and security OF the State
and also the response The ntimation that
our adherence 10 the obnoxious regulation may lead
heavier mposions the mportaon OF products
BRUSH doinions, thar The people OF this State
firmly attached to the principles of free trade and fully APP
precate the pre-eminent importance OF an unrestricted
commerce with the sui ecs OF her Britannia Majesty But,
highly as ey salGa @ b osi M, NJ 81 ,ns
untrammeed the selection OF the and
po9 Inconsistent Win due regard 4, the rights Of others
II compelled to choose between commercial in
and essential attribute independent sovereignty,
they will unhesatiney prefer The latter and they be,
ieye their choice Will command the appreciation and
sympathy Of tho government and people CT Great Britain"
Such the respectful and considerable but firm tone
OF the committee, regard police regulation, adopt
ed on the necessity for the security of the State
against revolt in matter wholly within State dscetion
az we have undertaken heretofore 10 show During
the tendency OF this report the senate letter
addressed TO the executive OF the State by Consul
Mathew, complaining OF the action OF the committee,
and in which this extraordinary language was used.
uTb mr. iuafira IN her
Britannia Maestys government, and to me individually,
in believing HE total absence OF any desire TO inter
fere in the established institutions OF the State but,
while feel certain of the conscientious adoption OF their
extreme opinions this subject shall not, believe.
stand alone regretng. in the best interests OF South
Carolina, on their part which, il acceded to by
the legislature must lead 10 the immediate consideration
by her Maesty's government OF uerior measures. and
strongly influence public opinion IN both countries
A second repor, was then made by committee OF the
senate, and objections to the repeal OF the law were
again respectfully but decidedly presented. modifca
ton OF the act was however recommended, so far it
applied 10 such on board OF stranded vessels;
The house OF representatives treated the letter OF Consul
Mathew in a different manner. they say:
1.-THE present communication consists for the most
part OF such arguments and considerations as il would
seem ought. in The opinion OF the writer, TO induce a
modification OF law, together with comments on the
report and resolutions submitted TO the ordinate
branch of the legislature In this connection your CON-
mttee cannot suppress an expression oil surprise at the
her Britannia Malesys consul has thus thought
proper to pursne in addressing 10 the executive OF the
State arguments and comments upon proceedings still
pending before the legislature They deem il quite I'M
necessary make any remarks upon the tone possible
purpose OF such a enter upon an examination
OF the views and arguments contained in the conmunl
cation The whole matter referred has already received
full consideration at the hands OF special committee of
the house. and your committee would therefore ask TO be
discharged, and would recommend TO the house an in
definite posiponement OF the documents referred TO them
Members OF the house offered resolutions resenting
the alleged indgnity among which was the following !;
bu they adjourned sine die without any action on the
subject:
Roieed That his exeellency the governor be, and Is
hereby requested receive further other comma
Aeaion Whatever from the British consul George b. Ma
view, etq"
Aler the adjournment OF the legislature Consul Mathew
dressed third letter the governor dated the 9th in
SAINT, in which the following claim is made:
apprehend that il was competent TO her Mojesiys
government either press their just reclamaons upon
the authorities at Washington. 10 direct legal steps the
matter there or here 10 authorize representation by
the British local unconary against law affecting the
privileged and the liberties OF British subjects
10 part OF his consular district, TO The authorities from
whom II emana,ed and TO take such mferor steps, by e-
gal or federal appeal, bg rediiaory measures, IN The
epenf of non-suecess, as they might think IT."
II would thus appear that the British government are
represented being responsible for this extraordinary be-
havior but we cannot suppose il possible. II seems
from some OF the documents that application was first
made TO the general government and that the latter re-
ierred the consul 10 the State authorities, who in that
way have obtained jurisdiction OF the subject We sup
pose this wholly erroneous, and that the mat
ter so far as foreign nations concerned should have
been kept in the hands of the government at Washing
Ton. Tue latter has full OF the imprison