Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-25


sells.
We have given the details of the insolence
and indgnity offered to our national flag on
two or three occasions, within the past few
weeks in the Gulf of Mexico. Several other
instances have occurred, which vary but
slightly from those we have given. The fol-
lowing is record of these high-handed pro-
ceedings:
Ship Tropic Bird. fired into, boarded and
searched
Bark Clara Windsor, fired into, boarded and
searched.
Bark Glenburn, Overhauled at sea.
Bark W. III. Chandler, boarded and searched
while lying at anchor in the port of Sagua la
Grande
Twelve other vessels also boarded and
searched in the harbor of Sagua la Grande.
Brig Robert Wing, fired into, boarded and
searched.
Schooner Wingold, fired into, boarded and
8 earched.
Schooner Cortez, seized, and now detained
Schooner N. B. Borden, fired into, boarded
and searched.
Schooner Mobile fired into, boarded and
searched.
The British officers who have ofiiciated in
these outrages, profess to be acting under
peremptory orders from their home govern
ment, and express their determination to obey
these orders at all hazards, until they are
countermanded. Our merchant marine is thus
to pass at once under the espionage and sur
VIGILANCE Of Great Britain but upon what
pretext is measurably in doubt. The ostensi-
bic purpose appears to be the suppression of
the African slave-trade-or, perhaps to cap
ture any possible party of fillibusters that
may be found cruising in the region of the
West Indies or Central America. Between
the fillibusters and the Delta's cock-and-bull
story of the Pearl river slave trade, we have
no doubt the Imagination of John Bull has
peopled the Gulf waters with slave-catchers
and marauders, dotted them all over with
vessels laden with these villainous species of
cargo. Whatever may be the fancy or mo-
tive to the recent insults to our nationality
no less than to our merchant ships, the acts
themselves are sufficient to warrant this gov
eminent in sweeping every British vessel
which sets up these monstrous orders at once
and summarily from the face of the Gulf
About forty years ago. the United States read |
maternal England a lecture upon the subject !
of the right of search, accompanied with a |
practical exhibition of her intention and |
ability to enforce her views on the high-seas. |
The question was then very firmly settled, |
and there is now no earthly necessity for a |
diplomatic settlement of the question over
again. The act is in itself unlawful and can |
find no justification in ORDERS from any gov
eminent whatever. No power is at liberty to
violate the law of nations, and when its Off
GERS are taken in violation of law, they are
subject to the seizure and mercy of the power
which is injured. These arbitrary assump-
tions have placed their perpetrators in the
category of outlaws, and can not rightfully
claim the protection of any government. The
idea that private property and domestic af-
fairs are sacred against all outside interfer-
ence pervades our whole>system of govern
ment, state and national. No search is per-
mitted, in this country, for persons or property
to satisfy the imperative demands OF the law,
except upon minute description of the place
and object of the search first made on oath.
1t is one of the most sacred rights of all
American citizens that they are free from
private or public espionage; and this right
they are entitled TO on the high seas rs well
as on land. An invasion has been wantonly
masle upon this right, not in one instance, but
in series, accompanied with such acts of
naughty insolence. as to leave no doubt upon
their character. There is neither room nor
occasion for diplomacy. II the reports which
have gone TO the country are true. there is no
apparent reason for discussion or delay.
Congress has turned its attention TO the
matter, and both branches have passed reso-
buttons calling for information and the Sem
ate another inquiring whether any further
legislation Is necessary to enable the Presi-
dent TO prevent the aggressions complained
Of. We trust the session will not close be-
tore that body shall have authorized the most
prompt and summary measures.
M a,