Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-06-25
Correspondence OF the Evening Postl
Mr.. CaSS VindiCateS Mr.. Rl:,ir.
The Search Of American Ships Mritcc


Among the closing scenes in the House of
Representatives,, on Saturday last, was de-
bate between the Hon. Frank p Blair. of
Missouri, and Hon. Daniel Sickles, of New
York, on the question of the searches" in
the Gulf. The latter gentleman has acted
as Mr.. Buchanan's fright bower in the
House, on foreign affairs, during the session
Just closed. In the course of the debate Mr..
Blair made the declaration, that the late
British demonstrations in the Gulf would
never have been made had not Great Britain
been publicly invited to the work by high
official Of the present government of the
I United States. This extraordinary announce
ment to the country and to the world, seem
ed to startle Mr.. Sickles, who denied that
any such invitation had been given. The
President, understand, chafes considerably
over the charge, and Mr.. Cass, when he
he heard of the bold assertion of Mr.. Blair.
raved like mad man. Between the trio
Sickles, Buchanan and Casa laborcd ed
itorial was prepared and published in the
Union. a day or two since, wherein an effort
is made to turn the subject into ridieule. But
that won't do. Mr.. Blair was right as the
record shows, and now the proof
In the message of the President of the
United States, communicating, in answer
to resolution of the Senate of the
10Th of January last, reports of the Secreta-
ry OF State, and the Secretary of the Navy,
with accompanying papers, in relation to
the African slave trade, is a letter from Mr..
Cass to Lord Napier, dated "Washington,
April 10, 1853"
1t is in answer to "several letters respect
ing the African slave trade" which had been
received by Mr.. Cass, but had not been re-
piled to sat an earlier day in consequence
Of "the pressure of other duties" These
several LETTERS says Mr.. Cas-, 'shave been
submitted to the President, and l am In
structed to communicate to your lordship his
views of the subjects they present for the de-
termination of his government
After snubbing Lord Napier for limiting at
the dilatory disposition of the United States
in suppressing the slave trade, and asserting
that We shave not been less anxious than
Greae Britain for the determination of this
commerce in enslayed Africans Mr.
Cass says
"But the best method of effectins the OBJ
ject is a practical problem of very difficult
solution. The obstacles in its way were at
first overlooked in the sanguine anticipations
which were INDUCED ofimmediate success. -
Experience has come to test the measures
proposed, and they have been found made
quate to the extinction of the evil so much
SO that, in the opinion of your government
its present activity demands increased exer-
lions on the part of the United States with
a view to accomplish the object. Those exer-
the coast Of Africa, in order to render the
40 of, H.,
anime and deal with vessels bearing the
American flag and suspected Of being engag-
ed in this trade. This system ola joint block
ade has been pursued for some years, and the
benefit it has produced bears no reasonable
proportion, regret t, say,'o the expa diturc
Of life and treasure it has cost. But this
failure need not discourage the anxious hopes
Of christendom. There is another method of
proceeding, ~ithom the dangers and difficulties
and the ins0fciency which beset blockade, and
rhich is sure to succeed, if adopted and per-
serred in, and that is to close The STARE marts
Of the ,corld, or, rather, OF THE ISLAND OF
CUBA, which is now almost the only region
where the slave dealer can find market
If these unfortunate victims could not be
sold they would not be bought To shut the
ports of Cuba 10 the,r entrance"
The history of the recent searches in the
Gulf shows conclusively tat the British gov
eminent acted promptly upon this hint of
the President, spoken through Mr., Cas-
The italics in she above extract are mine, and
point to the language alluded t. by Mr..
Blair, and fully justified that gentleman i'll
making the declaration which he did
The question now is. Did the President
extend this invitation to procure the present