Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-05-05
The Letter ofsecretary cass to Lord Napier


NAPIER, in reply to the reiterated complaints
made by the British government of the in
crease of the slave trade, and their sugges-
tions of more stringent measures for its sup
preston, is the ablest state document that
ever was penned on this interesting subject.
We regret sincerely that the press of matter
did not permit US to copy it in full 1t sheds
food of light upon this vexatious question,
completely and mercilessly exposing the hol-
low pretensions and grossly selfish objects of
the British negro policy. In regard to the
system of joint blockade of the African
coast, the Secretary remarks that 1.-The benefit
it has produced, bears no reasonable proper
tlon to the expenditure of life and treasure it
has cost" But this failure need not discour.
age the hopes of Christendom, for there was
another method of proceeding, less difficult
and more efhcacious, If slaves could not be
sold, they would not be exported To shut
the ports of Cuba to their entrance, would be
shutting the ports of Africa to their departure,
Cuba was the only country where the slave
trade was carried on extensively. England
exercised great political influence over Spain
and might employ it in this cause. This is
very severe home-thrust, for jealous as En-
gland is of slave labor, she would not now
urge measure calculated to injure the pro-
ductive capacity of Cuba. The immense
Spanish debt Is owned by Englishmen princi-
pally, and the dimiuution Of the Cuban reven-
ues would utterly depreciate all claims against
Spain. Amongst the causes now operating
to render the blockade of the coast of Africa
still more useless, the Secretary mentions the
marked effect upon public opinion in Europe,
produced by the lamentable condition Of the
once fourishing colonies Of England and
France, the deficiency OF labor there, the iu-
dolence and distress of the emancipated ne
groes,- Of which were matters of grave
reflection for the statesman and philantropist
Means had been resorted to remedy these
evils. England herself had set the example,
and was supplying her colonies with coolies,
and French following her lead, was furnish
ing her Islands with Africans, which was but
another form of slave trading. Official re-
ports from the American Squadron on the
African coast confirmed this opinion also
the last message of the President of Liberia,
etc. This state of things, while offering no
Justincatiou of the slave trade, indicated q
relaxation of public opinion in regard to its
suppression. which impcded the efficacy of
the blockading policy. But independently of
the distractions, physical, and political, which
stood IN the way of the successful operations
- NAoS pOiiSy' shSAS HClc liupOIIdut COuSlQer-
atoms intimately connected with national RI
ghts, which offered still graver subjects for
the consideration of this Government. The
Secretary discusses then with eminent ability
and great force, the important question of the
right of search, against which he demonstrates
as dangerous pretension, aud breach of
the law of nations, as practised by Great Brit
ain. To permit foreign officer to board
vessel of another power, to assume command
In her, to call for and examine her papers, to
pass judgment upon her character, to decide
the broad inquiry, whether she is navigated
according to law and to send her in ut pleas.
ure for trial, could not be submitted to by any
independent Hatiun without injury aud dis
honor. No such right was recognized by the
law of nations. The United States denied
the right Of the cruisers of any other Power
whatever, for any purpose whatever, to enter
their vessels by force. They had no DISPOSE
ton to surrender the police of the ocean to
Great Britain, and would never falter in their
determination to enforce their own laws in
their own vessels, and by their own power,
and to oppose the pretensions of every other
nation to board them by force in time of
peace. The Secretary proves by numerous
quotations that the principles of international
law involved in this question has been admit
ted by the most eminent statesmen of Great
Britain. He explodes completely the distinc-
ton made by British diplomatists between
the right of visit and the right of search.
showing that both are equally illegal as ap-
piled to vessels of foreign Powers It ap-
pears that Lord NAPIER communicated to the
State Department list of vessels, said to
have been American, and to have been en-
gagged In the slave trade. To this the Sec
retary replies that he had no means of verify
ing the list. but the statement, "even if ac-
curate,' only showed that the laws of the
United States might be evaded as we'll as those
OF other nations. The prosecution Of the
slave trade, being stimulated by extraordin-
airy profit, additional capital and enterprise
had embarked in it. There was class of
ships built in the United States famed for
their speed. and these were eagerly sought
and purchased by foreigners for the slave
trade but the people disposing of them could
not be held answerable for the purposes for
which such vessels were afterwards employed.
The laws of the United States provided severe
punishment for fitting out of slavers, but it
was often impossible to prove an illegitimatc
object, and so some slavers might escape
Vessels, English built and English owned.
had also been employed in the slave trade
A case of this kind had but just been brought
before the Courts in London Human cupi-
dity was not confined to our nation only, and
a cursory perusal of the proceedings of En-
giish tribunals would probably reveal good
many similar cases
Lord NAPIER further complained, in the
name of his Government, of the United States
not baving had at all times the number of vcs-
sells as stipulated by treaty, on the African
coast. General CAss proves that Great Brit
ain required similar forbearance, she having
been repeatedly guilty of the same sin of ON
sslon The view next represented by the
secretary is of great Importance. The United
States he says. had legitimate trade with
Africa, which was annually increasing in val
ne. The exports Of the United States were