Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-12-25
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III Is my, earnest desire that every miSun-
dcrSt0ndmg with the Government of Great
Britain should be 0micably and speedily adj
justcd. 1t has becntle misfortune of both
countries. almost ever since the period of the
revolution, TO have been annoyed by sue
ceSsion ofiriitating and dangerous questions
threatening their friendly relations. This
has partially prevented the full Development
OF feelings of mutual friendship between
the people the two countries, so natural in
themselves and SO conductive to their com
mon interest Any serious interruption of
the commerce between the United States and
Great britain would be equally injurious to
both. In fact, no two nations have ever ex-
listed on the face OF the earth, which could do
each other SO much good or SO much harm
Entertaining these sentiments. | am graft
fed to inform you, that tho long-pcnding con
trovcrSy between the two governments, in
relation to the question Uf visitation and
search has been aidiCably adius cd. The
claim on the part Of Great Britain. forciby
To visit American vessels on the high seas in
time of peace, could not be sustained under
the law olnations, and it had been oycrrulcd
by her own most eminent iursts. This qucs-
ton was recently brought to an issue, bv tine
repeated acts Of British cruisers, in boarding
and searching our merchant vessels i'm the
Gulf of Mexico and the adjacent seas These
".
as these waters arc traycrsed hy large por-
ton of the commerce and navigation of the
United States, and their free and unrest trio
ted use is essential to the security of the
coastwsc trade between different States of
the Union. Such vcXatiUus Interruptions
could not fail to excite the feelings of the
country. and to require the intcrp lsition Of
the government "Reminiscences were adj
dressed to the British government against
these violations oC our ghtS of suveprigntv.
and naval io"cc was at the same timc or
dcrcd to the Cuban waters. with directions
= To protect all vessels of the United State,
on the high seas, from search or detention by
the vessels of war of any uthcr nation. -
These treasures received the unqualified and
even cnthu !aStic appreciation of The Amcri-
can people. Most fortunately. however, no
collision took place, and the British govern
mcmt prompIly y avOwcd it's recognitiuu Of the
principles OF international law upon this sub
lect, rs laid down by the government of the
CnitcI States. in uutc 10 the Secretary oi
Statcbythc B.itish minStcrat Washington of
April 10, ISIS, which secure the vessels OF
the United States upon tho high seas from
visitation or search i'll time of peace under
any circumstances whatever. The claim has
been abandoned in a manner rcNcctng hon
or ON the British government, and cvimcng
not fail to strengthen tho am!cablc rca, ions
betwccn the two countries.
The British Government, at the same time
proposed to the unitcfSi0tcs that some mode
should hc adopted. by Il mutual arrangement
between the two countries, Of character
winch may be found effective without being
offensive, for verifying the nationality Of vc>-
sells suspected ON good grounds of carrying
. i"ISG colols, They have also invited the Uni
ted States to take the initiative. and propose
measures Tor this parposC. Whilst dcclin-
ing to assume 50 grave II responsibility, the
Secretary OF S;a:e has informed British gov
eTnmcnt that we arc ready to receive any
proposals which they may feel disposed to
Offer having this object in view, and to con.
sldcr them IN an amicabIc spirit. \ strong
opinion is. however. expressed, that the oc-
ca.onai abuse Of the t!ag of amy nation, is an
cNii lar less to DC deprecated, than would be
the establishment OF any regulations which
might be Incompatible with the freedom Ui
ttc seas. lhls government has yet received
no communication specifying the manner in
winch the h:ltiSh SoNcrnmcntwou propose
TO carry out their suggestions and ann in
c'hich to beilcVc, that no plan which can be
"eN'Ncd' VII hG 'rce from grave embarrass-
!''chtS' Hui ! snail FORM no decided opn-
ION on !"e S"Nrct uhtii L slaii nave careful
y "no III me best spirit Examined amy pro
poSni" winch thcy may think proper to make.
l am truly ,.'rry cannot also Inform you
tAat tIe com hplcaiions between Great Britain
anu anu the V9ited States, arising out of the
Siay'"n ana bulwer treaty OF April, 1870,
nave peeh hh"!ly adjusted.
~ 9'e commencement OF your last session,
""" Gu On To nope that' cmanrlpnunS
'!lo'iiSciNeS from 1nrtior uhaVn,ling discus
S,",iS' S",, ,t I' [Wo g"iermonts would proceed t.