Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-05-26
searcbips American Vessels.

The high-handed proceedings of British naval
officers in the Gulf of Mexico, in reference to A
merican vessels, has excited feeling of deep and
universal indignation in this country. Accounts
of these outrages continue to come in, and they
sll indicate purpose on the part Of the officers,
if not of their Government, to insult our flag in
manner which no independent nation can sub
NIT to. apparently in her anxiety to suppress
the slave trade" says contemporary, England
has transferred her surveillance from the coast OF
Africa to the coast of Cuba, and swarms OF her
small cruisers have been recently lowering about
that island, firing into and oyerhauling all yes-
sells that come within their reach, not excepting
even our small coasters. This practical enforce
ment of the right of search has been carried out
by them in the most insolent manner and with
wanton disregard of life. So aggrayating had
these outrsges become that, at a meeting of the
masters of American vessels at Havana, it was
determined to place their ornaments all on one
of their vessels and send her out, and, # inter
fered with by British cruiser, to capture her
This would bring things to crisis at once
The Executive at Washington, however, has a.
dopted all the measures within its power topr
vent further outrsges. Our Home Squadron
consists of two vessels, and no one knows where
they are, but the frigste Colorado has been sent
in search of them, while the steamer Fulton, the
sloop Susquehsnns and the brig Dolphin have
been ordered to the coast of Cuba to assist il
protecting the persons and property of Ameri
can citizens. A correspondence also has beer
opened with the British Minister at Washington
and Mr.. Dallas, our Minister at London, is in
structed to lay the subject before the office o
Foreign Affairs Immediately. From informa
conferences held at Washington, there is reason
to believe that the acts complained of will b.
dissyowed, and the offending officers dismissed
1t is suggested that the proceedings of the Eng
lish gun boats have perhaps been caused b.
some confusion in the issuing of orders inciden
to the change of ministry. Lord Derby has beer
considered friendly to the United States, and tn
representative of a conciliatory policy.
The right of search claimed by Great Britain
it will be remembered, was the prominent caus
of the war of 1912. Flushed with her success
in sweeping the entire French marine from tn
ocean, during the wars of the first Napoleon, ant
subjecting every European Navy to her control
England sought to reduce the United States Il
the same condition. She visited and searched
our vessels and impressed our seamen, and final
ly forced US into O declaration of war; Blu
however we may pride ourselves upon the q
chieyements of our soldiers and sailors during
the struggle, it remains true that the object TO
which we took up arms was not obtained. Eng
land has never formally relinquished her preten
sions, although the claim has not been practical
ly asserted, or at least Extensively since the war
until now. The present, therefore, is favora
bic opportunity for full and final settlement Q
the matter in controversy. 1t cannot be the in
terest or wish of England, as it certainly is nc
ours, to rush into another war, and negotistio
will probably prove successful this time. he
cent occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico woul
Justify prompt action on our part, and, if ampl
explanations are not received public sentiment
this country will sustain the Government in
resort to extreme measures; but we are never
thsless grstifed to find that our venerable Sci
retsry of State has recovered from his old be
ligerent propensities especially the "Anglf
phobia" for which he used to be celebrated-sn
before declaring war has determined to try tn
effect of other means. He has doubtless discoN
cred that it is one thing to breathe "threster
ings and slaughter" and denounce thepusillaniu
ity of an Administration on the floor of the Sci
ate; but very different thing, when the respor
sibility is cast upon him, to precipitate deadl
struggle between two powerful nations.