Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1858-07-16
From the London Telegraph, June 2.

less upon actual treaties than upon that
general and indefinite code known as the |
law OF nations, and great wars have fre-
quently originated in q misconceptlon of
the privileges enjoyed by maritime Powers
under the undeclared jurisdiction, Of this
authority. The rights thus acquired are
partly natural, partly customary :; and
axlch depends upon the method by which
-1lley are enforced. A very painful ques-
ton involving the Interpretation of this
universal international law, has arisen be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
of America; but in dealing with it We shall
be careful not to prejudice the points at is
Sue, or accept the allegation Oh either side
in their entirety, since there is an obvious
and unfortunate amount Of bitterness on
the part OF the American merchantmen
and British cruisers, between whom the
controversy has taken place. Tn the ab-
sence of official information of a kind which
has certainly not yet reached any one in
this country, unless it be the discreet Sec
retary for Foreign Affairs, it would be
rash to anticipate what complexion the dis
pute may assume and all that is possible,
or even desirable, at this stage, is to ex-
press a hope that, foresecng as we must
diplomatic contention ola most unhappy
character, accompanied by free recrimina-
tons from the press in both countries, a
spirit Of mutual generosity and forbearance
will be displayed. We want no American
war upon our hands; we can afford to
make no unworthy or unjust concessions
but, if we are to escape the one and the
other alternative, this matter must not be
allowed to become one Of jealous and ar
rogant boastings. II it be not exactly ne
cessary that q new conservative Ashbur-
ton should undertake to arrange the terms
Of a British capitulation, it would be equal
ly unwiso to invoke q policy of affronts and
menaces, dangerous to the peace OF the
world, and conductive to the interests and
to the honor Of neither nation.
It must be remembered that the conpli-
cation is one ofserious difficulty. Certain
British cruisers are charged with having
wantonly and violently stopped, challcng-
ed, fired into, boarded and searched a num-
Der OF Z. States merchant vessels, in the
Central American waters and the Gulf Of
Mexico, the complaints from the latter
+ sae nn4erons M aE2d lin i'm
nander Of the British war steamer StyX
had announced that the orders Of his gov
ernment were to examine the papers and
| cargo OF all ships proceeding up or down
| the Gulf. Now, this collision between our
/ ican republic is one in every sense to be
regretted, since the circumstances tlem-
selves are embarrassing, and it does not
/ appear that any decision can Immediately
! be arrived at without compromising, in-an
! injurious degree. one OF the great Powers
concerned. He ca715aot abandon tie riqIt
/ Of search i3s zl1s 1scrence to Auelica acithout
a5a1edopi2og 1t as 2,egG9ds the rest Of tie
ae9rII we cannot recall our Gulf cruisers
without establishing an African squadron
we cannot suppress. our ocean police with
out again licensing, practically, if not
avowedly, tia slave traffic which has been
! the curse Of one mighty continent and the
reproach OF another. Dnt, at the same
time, if it be really essential, in order to
maintain this principle, that American
ships should be treated as we are led to
| believe by the reports in the transatlantic
journals, we may be assured that we must
/ give way or fight for our prerogative
since, il. there be d nation upon earth in
clilfed to suffer the inconvenience of such
system, it is not the hardy, proud and
powerful race winch, in the New World
speaks our language and inherits our indie
pcndence.
The Sapreme Court of the United States
has laid down, in a memorable judgment
that the slave trade is opposed to the law
Of nature and of nations, and America has
8 entered into treaties with Great Britailnfol
the suppression OF this infamous barter, Sc
far as the sea is concerned. We have 3
I right, then, to capture and confscate eve
Try SLAYER, and even to punish the captains
i and crew but how far and IN what shape
ll,is. that right to be asserted? Does it an
tlIorize usin visiting a principal port Q
Cuba, boarding twelve American vessel