The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-07

of Naval Officers.
TO the Editors Of the Daily Exchange:
While we appear to be drifting into war upon
the subject of British outrages in the Gulf of Next
co, and while the public mind has been very much
infamed, and evidently misled by the extravagant
statements and discussions growing out of the dis
puted right of search visitation, it is graft
flying to read the able, calm, and dspassionate view
of this subject which is presented to the public in
your paper OF Saturday.
However much these views may differ with those
of our legislators and statesmen, or from the policy
our country may hereafter think proper to pursue,
venture to say they nearly accord With the
views entertained everywhere by naval officers and
nautical men, than does the more modern and pop
ular doctrine of resisting visitation and scarab.
Visitation for the purpose of obtaining or i'm
parting information and search where the circum-
stances are sufficient to justify At, for the purpose of
establishing the character or nationality of vessel
on the high seas, has so long been custom, not
only of foreign navies, but own, that the sudden
and total abrogatiOn or dscontinuance of it, while
our men-of-war las well others) are expected to
capture pirates, put down the slave trade, and
otherwise protect our commerce in its lawful pur-
SUITS is as you very justly remark, very serious
question. In spite of all our efforts up to the pres
ent time, we have not only failed to put down the
slave trade, which we have declared Piracu but it
is actually in a more flourishing condition than
formerly and We do not want the evidence of for
eign officers to convince that American bottoms
and the American flag have been from the COM
nencement and still, fraudulently used in this
traffic.
1t can hardly be expected of men who engage in
acts of piracy-or indeed other unlawful aets-that
they will be very scrupulous about the papers they
carry-the flag they hoist-or the honor of their
country.
1t is quite evident that they prostitute the latter
wherever they CO. There are men, of course who
do not like to be overhauled and questioned on the
ocean, and they are the authors of most of the
'British outrages' that find their way into the pub
lie prints. have as little sympathy for such set
of vagabonds, as have for the assumed oficousness
of an officer oversepping the bounds of international
courtesy.
AS long as human nature is the same and abuses
exist, am at loss to see how the integrity of a
flag is to be maintained, without visit, and even
search, should the circumstances be such as to
justify it.
During many years experience at sea, | have
had occasion to board foreign vessels as well as our
own-and in some instances where have been sent
in search of deserters have had the permission of
the local authorities (who were English) not only
to Search but if necessary to bring vessels to an
Choir, while in the act
While in the performance of this duty-never
very agreeable, presume, to either party-I have
endeavored to keep within the bounds of propriety
have never been treated uncivilly, and have
never, to my knowledge, been accused of commit
ting an "outrags"
Finally, agree with you, that there is no justi
fication for the extent to which this custom and
contested right have lately been carried by British
cruisers; but knowing the proneness of human ma
ture to exaggerate, at least of that portion of
kind who interested in doing, we may be pre-
pared to hear of many ourages that will never be
sustained by facts. Enough, however, has lately
occurred on our own coast, to make us jealous of
our national rights, and conscious, hope, of
the means necessary to defend them.