Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-19
The African Squadron,

1t viii be remembered that the Southern Com
mercial Convention recently held at Knoxville.
Tennessee, decided by large majority to memo
riaiize Congress for the repeal of SO much of the
Ashburton treaty as provides for the maintenance
oil an American feet of eighty guns to aid in the
suppression of the slave trade on the coast OF AZ
RIGA. This appeal to Congress was urged princi-
pally on the ground that the compact was discour-
teous TO the South. The speeches at the Conven-
tion aud its action as above recorded have called
forth letter from Ex President Tyler, which is
published in the Richmond Enquirer of September
4. Alter apologising for public reference 10 any
act of bis administration, the Bx President asks.
"WEo 10 1912 even dreamed that there would be.
as early as 1857, proposition seriously made 10
revive the slave trader" He entertained no spcb
idea" ncr did ''the eminent statesmen who were
bis constitutional advisers" And the Ex-Presi-
dent then details the facts existing immediately
sntecedent to the treaty.
The British Government had Insisted upop the
right, In virtue OF various treaties with other ma
lions, to visit ships the coast of Africa sailing
under the American flag, for the purpose of sscer-
tanning the true nationality of the ships Enrland
had even ventured 10 put their claim into practice
This called forth strong "Reminiscences from, NJ
Stevenson who was then our Minister A. To,5o,
and most able argument in pamDblet form an,
peared soon alter, from the pen of Gen. Cas- uLo
was our Minister at Paris. The conduct Of onr
representatives at London and Paris in tbi. no.,
ticular was fully approved by the Adrninistr.tioo
and, in my annual message TO Congress l to,L 49,,
cided ground against the claim preferred by tireat
Britain, and made the occasion 10 say thai "A the
United STATES Government was the first 20 declare
the trade slave to be piracy, far the citizens of
the U. states were concerned, il was fuliy able
10 enforce its own laws without the all of British
cruisers.
Thus the two Governments remained for a time
autagonized on the question. Great Britain urged !
that she meant noinsults 70 the American flag but
that It was impossible, without visit TO the sho 10
ascertain whether she belonged 10 tbe nation whosa
nag che bore, or bad assumed that dag merely TO I
deceive thus seeking immunity under the American
nag, when tue vessel. officers aud Crew. might be 4
1Feueh, Portuguese, or Spanish, or Of some other
nation, intent on the slave trade yhoss traatv s,.
gagements had given TO Great Britain The rigbt Of
visit aud search. Great Britain also urged on our
Government, as consideration for auis sce,,ee ~,
our part IN the matter, that If the se.sl vis,,,g
should turn out 10 be truly American, bound on a
peaceful mercantile voyage, she wouli indemnify
all loss and every damage sustained, as had h.,1
hoDorsoiy done IN all preceding cases
LORD Ashoarton was possessed pf full power 10 !
negotiate on this as on other subjects, aud upon
conference reiterated my declaration, made Ia nly
annual message, that the Uaised Star Govern,n.a,
vas able 10 enforce is own laws. and that sho,I5
see 70 their enioreemsni treaty no trraty under
the obigattons OF paramount duty. l then sue. |
gessed, By way OF aischaTging THE duty on ug paF5
shat We Should keep spOn the African eoast = ns,a
armament sufficiently great 70 visit all the ships tt
might hoits the Uuited states Gag aud fan onarr |
suspicion, but that We could not permit another 49,.
tion TO do so. Upon shis 0asis the stipulation in
the treaty nas, 10 my mind, alaays rested Certain
Il lie that for the aiteT,ime Of my service no vst
much less search, Of an American vessel occurred
on the part Of British cruiser. What has taken
place siDce will not undertake 70 say.
have nothing 20 do with shat tbs Government |
Of thia country may deem it proper 20 DO 10 regsrd
20 that stpaaiicb; bat this will venture 70 say.
.hss, repeal Shen Il peases thai psosisioa OF Toe
treaty t VIII stih hno i necessary for the enforce
ment oil the laws Of The Unltsd Ststss Is well A. Tor
.ae protection OF the traffic Of merchant vessels,
INC asstlned 10 Tue end 10 be Of vast magnitude
e H.as'tai feet Of AZ least sigLfg glas GA sks
s co.. p 5f'ea Il might be varthy d eonsldes
49, ~ sss asHt oommercia Convection whether.
.e'o'o .ssy advise the caneeillDg Of the pr3vis.t
= sa,.s ana asnounce lt an lasell % the
% piracy X f.gardt the slave sfsde.