The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-02
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE

The President of the United States on Monday
communicated to the Senate the correspondence in
relation to the capture of the American bark Pan
chita by British officer, who sent her to New
York on the ground that she was a SLAYER, engaged
in violating the treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain. The documents are
somewhat volumnous, and we have only had time
to copy the letter of Mr.. Dallas to the Secretary
Of State and the response of Lord Clarendon to Mr.
Dallas. 1t will be seen that the British Admiralty
have promptly disclaimed this act of aggression on
the part of their officer and have removed him from
service on the African station, and Lord Clarendon
approves the act of censure; not, however, without
advancing something in the way of palliation for
the offender.
MR.. DALLAS TO MR.. CAss.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
London, October 9, 1857.
SIR: At about II o'clock IaSt night received the
communication from her MFestv's principal Sc
cretary of State for Foreign Affairs, which, with its
various annexes, transmit in copy. 1t is in an
swer to my letter of the 18th ultimo, respecting
Commander Moresby's proceedings in the vista
ton, search, and seizure of the ''Panchita."
Too little time is left me to do more than make
few brief remarks upon these papers.
lst. The particular case would seem to be salts
tactoriy disposed of. Commander Moresbys
duct is dsclaimed and censured; he is withdrawn
from the station unfit to be trusted there, and
express orders alleged to have been given by
the Admiralty which must prevent the repetition OF
such acts.
I'd. 1t is observable that the dsavowal and condem-
nation of Commander Moresby's proceeding with
great reserve founded exclusively upon the stipua
tions of the treaty of 1912. Except inconsistent
with the arrangements of that treaty, his insult to
the national flag, his search and seizure upon mere
suspicion, might have been unreproved. You will
pardon me for suggesting that while this pretension
OF right TO supervise and reform the commercial
pursuits of other countries by the of visit
and search is thus covertly maintained against the
| frank remonstrance of the Government of the
| United States, it may be doubted whether it be
consistent with the national dignity to proong the
pNcpOtiOnable w farm
| alone immunity is recognized.
sd. The grumbling efforts of the Lords COmmis-
soners of the Admiralty to insinuae faults in the
American squadron on the coast of Africa and to
| eXtenuate Commander Moresbv's violation of pub
| lie law and of his own orders by attrhutng it in
measure to ''galled feelings are wholly for
eign to the point drawn to the notice of the British
Government that it is really difficult, if not mpOs-
sble, to repress the smile which that misplaced
awkwardness provokes
The tenor of your instruction on this subject, in
your No. II, would seem to contemplate my seek
ing nothing more than what has been obtained,
namely, disclaimer and prohibitory orders. | shall
therefore notpursue the matter until you advise
otherwise; and in case that be intended you will
much oblige me by obtaining for me. if possible,
such facts from the Department of the Navy as may
enable me to indicate the activity and fathtulnesS
OF our African squadron.
have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient
servant, G. NJ. DALLAS.
Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary of State.
EARL CLARENDON TO MR.. DALLAS.
FOREIGN 0FFICE, October 8, 1857.
SR:-l have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept of your letter Of the 10th ultimo respecting
the proceedings of Commander Moresby, of her
Majesty's ship "Sappho' in OBTAINING on the coast
of Africa and eventually sending to New York the
American barque "Panchita,' on the ground that
she was engaged in the slave trade.
feel that can return no more satisfactory
swer to your representation on this matter than by
communicating to you, for the information Of the
government Ofthe u. s., a copy of a reply which
have received from the Board of Admiralty to the re
ference which made to them the receipt of your
letter, from which you will perceive that the Lords
Commissioners have highly disapproved the con
duct of Commander Moresby, and have directed
that he should be removed from the station where
he might again have to deal with vessels suspected
of being engaged in the slave trade
There can be no doubt that the detention of the
"Panchita," and the sending her to New York,
constituted nfraction of the treaty between Great
Britain and the United States; but the views which
the British Admiral the station has taken of
Commander MOresby's proceedings in this case and
the terms in which the displeasure of the Lords of
the Admiralty have been conveyed to that officer,
will. feel assured, be satisfactory to the Govern
ment of the United States.
But feel equally assured that great allowance
will be made by the Government of the United
States for officers charged with the suppression of
the slave trade, who are compelled to witness the
frequent and unchecked abuse of the American flag
in the prosecution of the trade, and who that,
under the protection of that flag and in consequence
of no American ship-of-war having for nearly Il
twelve-month appeared on the station, the nefarious
traffic is now carried on in the most open and daring
manner, and with constantly increasing activity.
In corroboration of what | have stated above, |
beg leave to transmit copies of dispatch and its
enclosures received at the Admiralty from Rear
Admiral Sir Frederick Grey, the officer command
ing her Majesty's naval forces the west coast of
Africa. which contains the most recent information
upon the subject which has reached her Majesty 5
Government.
have the honor to be, &c.
CTA