The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-30
FREE TRADE AND sArLoRy RloHTs."

y = - - : :
: THURSDAY N0ININp. MARCH "a tssA
-1REE TRADE AND SAILORS NIGHTS"
The old war cry with which the U. States
began the war Of isls, is likely to be rcvlv'
ed. An item in our Geographic dispatches
Of yesterday is pregnant with meaning to 'ne
people Of this country. tits to tins enec''
Some excitement was produced in co conn
cial circles by Lord Clarendon's annou','e
nent to the Riga merchants, that an RUSSIAN
~.oa..a to whom soever belonging. and
evan in neutral vessels, shall De q lawful
nr;,a in the event of war" Ii THIS announce
nan, has been really made by Lord Ciaren
A.. the United States, in the event Of Bri-
,,.b and Russian contest, win be as ineviia-
b,v involved in war with Great Britain as
,o.morrow's sun will rise. A series of acts
IN conformity with the same arrogant pre-
tension, and the claim of the right TIC search
American vessels and impress from them
British seamen. led to the last war with Eng
land. II is unnecessary to say, that the =.
States are as ready to fight for free traoe
and sailors rights now, when they nave De-
come a great and strong people. as they were
FORTY wears ago, when in the infancy of their
national growth.
The United States were carrying on lu-
crative carrying trade during the wars
which then agitated Europe. They were in
dustriously endeavoring to preserve the most
rigid neutrality, when the monstrous preten
sion, now renewed by Lord Clarendon, was
asserted and put in force by the cruisers OF
Great Britain. The Government of Great
Britain maintained that the neutral flag does
not protect enemies property; that neutral
vessels sailing with or without convoy, can
be searched; that not only arms and NUM-
lions of war are contraband, but all materials
which may be used in manufacturing them
France also adopted the principle that the
flag does not protect the property. Great
Britain not only exercised the right of search
ing neutral vessels sailing singly, but followed
and searched neutral fleets under convoys,and
searched them not formally, and merely ask
ing questions of the officer in command, but
whenever they chose, by personal and
rigorous examination. The conduct of the
officers who overhauled and invaded our YES
sells was often of the most insulting and bru-
talkind. Military power is rarely gentle or
mealy mouthed to its subjects. The COM
of a man of-war, with peaceful, un-
armed merchant-man lying under his broad
side, is about as likely to be courteous and
civil-spokeH as were the Highland Chiefs
when they descended among the fat cattle of
the lowlands The odd Yankees" by which
expressive phrase Americans of all the
States are known abroad, were kicked and
cuffed about their own vessels. like SO many
cabin boys; Bull walked into their cabins
without knocking, pitched headforemost into
their holds, smashed their crOckery general
ly, drank their wine, without so much as
saying "your health, SIR took everything
that be wanted, and. by way of parting
henedictisn, babe the master of the mer
chant man to "go to - After which valo-
rous and chivalEic performances, he returned
with dignity and dissatisfaction to his own
vessel, In, addition to this search of neatrals
for the property of enemies, was the search
for British seamen, which was conducted in
the same overbearing and despotic temper.
Not only were British seanen impressed iii
this manner, but native Americans, men who
had never trod British soil or British
deck in their lives, were forced from beneath
tbs flag oftheir country and compelled to fight
the battles of England, not only against her
continental enemies, but, against their native
land. They were in no wise particular as to
nation, or color. They even went so far as
to impress several American negroes as Brit
ish seamen. We have heard an amusing an
ecdote of one of these black sailors, who
served on board British ship. the Guerrero,
we think, in the late war. When the Ans.f
can frigate, which she was about to annihi-
late, first displayed her flag, the lesso sailor
went to the Captain and respectfully
requested to be excused fso4asszving against
the flag of "his couRssy," In a great pas
sion the Captain. replied" Go below, you
ID scoundreA aRd; as. soon. as Eve taken
that ship, NJ hang YOU" The action fol-
lowed, and ths, boot happened to be on the
Other. leg. The British flag was lowered, and
as her Captain advanced to present his
sword to the victorious American. the negro
popped his head up the hatohway, and, with
a regular African roar of laughter, exclaim-
90, He said he was going to hang me as
soon, as he tuck that ssigate; and he haiat
tuck her yeti"
We trust the Immediate attention of the
Government viii be TUNED to the claim now
renewed by Great Britain. Let us have no
sapofihg' no bur .combe; but give us at once
Navy and We can answer Lord Clarendons
"ehahd' where alone it can be answered
" .enor and dignity, the high seas,
W to flag, man to man, and gun to gun.
SLAVERY AND COTTON.