Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-09-11
From the Richmond Enquirer.

From the Richmond Enquirer.
Intereling Letter from Ex-President Tyler.
MEssRs. EDIroRs Although have observed pro-
found silence in regard to all public political discussions
since the close of my official residence at Washington
yet it seems to to be not only proper, but In some
measure required of me to vndicate act OF my admin
istration for which posterity will hold accountable
against public attack made upon it. Such an occa-
sion has occurred in the published debates of the
recent Commercial Convention at Knoxville wherein
member is stated to have declared the provision in the
Treaty of Washington STIMULATING the part of the U.
States for the maintenance of feet of eighty guns for
the suppression of the slave trade under the American
fag act of dscourtesy and insult to the South,
as reason for its abrOgatiOn. The declaration thus
made have met with the countenance of large
majority of the Convention in the final vote upon the
subject propose to do more Messrs Editors than
revive with the public recollection of the incidents
which led to the incorporation of that provision in the
Treaty. and having done So shall be content to leave
the matter to the arbitrament of the proper tribunal
SHALL however be permitted observe that the remarks
reported to have fallen from members OF the Convention
in debating the main subject entirely variant from
the popular sentiment entertained throughout the South
ern States [ believe in 1912, to occasion me no
little surprise Who, in 1912, dreamed that there
would be, early as 1851 proposition seriously made
to revive the slave trade? | certainly entertained
such idea did, quite sure any of the able
and patriotic statesmen who my constitutional adj
vsers | really though and often declared that the
Southern States were more opposed to the slave trade
than any portion of our people They had voted with
singular unanmity for the act of Congress which decar
ed that all citizens of the United States engaging in that
trade should be regarded and if convicted punished
pirates. How it happens then, that provision intro
duced into treaty to enforce law, for which the South
had voted be rghtfuly regarded insult to the
South, must say passes my comprehension Certainly
such an idea never entered into my head or heart.
My principal DESIRE however, is to call the attention
of the country in brief to the facts they existed i'm
medatey antecedent to the treaty of Washington The
British Government had insisted upon the right in vr-
tue of various treaties with other nations to visit ships
on the coast of Africa sailing under the American flag,
for the purpose of ascertanng the true nationality of
the ships England had venured to put their claim
into practice This called strong remonstrances from
Mr. Stevenson, who then minister at London,
and most able argument in pamphlet form appeared
soon after from the pen of Gen. Cass, who
lister at Paris. The conduct of representative at
Paris in this particular fully approved by the adj
minstration and, in my annual message to Congress
took decided ground against the claim preferred by
Great Britain and made the occasion to say that the
United States Government the first to declare the
slave trade to be piracy so far the citizens OF the
United States concerned, it fully able en-
force its own laws without the aid of British cruisers
Thus, the two governments remained for time an
tagonzed on the question Great Britain urged that
she meant insults to the American flag, but that it
was impossible, without visit to the Ship to ascertain
whether she belonged to the nation whose flag she bore
UT ndu assumed InaI nag merely 10 deceive, mus seek
ing immunity under the American flag when the vessel
officers and crew might be French Portuguese Or Span
sh other nation intent the slave trade whose
treaty engagements had given Great Britain the right
to visit and search. Great Britain also urged oul
government, consideration for quescence on oul
part in the matter, that if vessel visited should turn
out to be truly American, bound peaceful mercan
tile voyage, she would indemnify all loss and every dam
age sustained. had beeu honoraby done in all pre-
cedng cases. Lord Ashburton was possessed with full
power to negotiate this, other subjects
upon conference reiterated my declaration made In my
annual message, that the United States Government
able to enforce its own laws and that | should tC
their enforcement treaty treaty. under the obga
tons of paramount duty | then suggested, by way
dlschargng this duty on my part that we should keel
upon the African coast naval armament sufficiently
great to visit all ships that might hoist the United States
flag, and fall under suspicious but that could no
, permit another ma ion to do so.
Upon this basis the stipulation in the treaty has, il
my mind always rested Certain it is that for the al
er-time of my service visit much less search, of
American vessel occurred the part of British cruis
er. w hat has taken place since, will not undertake t.
say. | have nothing to do with what the Government
of this country may deem it proper to do in regard tt
that stipulation, but this | will venture to say that re
peal when it peases that provision Of the treaty. it viii
still find it necessary for the enforcement of the laws
the United States, well for the protection of tn
traffic of merchant vessels that coasta traffic ever
year increasing in value and destined in the end to
of vast magntude-to maintain fleet of at least eight
guns on the coast of Africa. 1t might be worthy G
, consideration, by the next Commercial Convention
whether before they advise the cancelng of the prov
ion in question: and denounce it insult to the Soutl
they should not first repeal the law relative to piracy
] regard to the slave trade.
i, Very respectfully, your obdt serv't.
, August 81, 1857. JOHN TYLER.