Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-03

xDrit5H6& Cen <dS4A edfe9ae4 Il 9M8fef
as ths subjsos &C y1s acIaiss q
snens q s.sS.rl Visit
l,ie6 aeas saying ~ s3
Presjden 81 the United ~ liis siia.
81 message to Congress. in December, 49, sapun-
sced this pretension to, detain and: examine ran
vessels as an Interpolation into the marisms code Of
the world to which the United States would not
submit. The years which have passed since this
authoritive declaration, marked As they have been
by repeated against these aggressens
while they have added nothing TO the strength Of the
claim, have served but to confirm the government
name change the illegal character of the assup
ton. Search or visit, it is equally an assault upon
the independence of nations"
We regarded it as fortunate that British cruisers
in the West India waters had exercised over Ameri
trading vessels the right Of vsitation because,
in so doing the important question Of law involved
in the matter was the more likely to become Of prac
teal importance and thus demand On the part OF
the two governments its definite settlement. Gen..
Glass; in explicit terms and with distinct reference to
the despatch of Lord Aberdeen, in lS42, disavowed
the right of her Majestys cruisers to visit American
merchant Ships declaring such an act to be ian as
sault upon the independence Of the nation."A
1t is not our purpose to run through the ncgotia-
tons which have taken place between General Cass
and Lord Napier in this city snss Pr
It is c3 '5e question that Iord MameshuIv
declares that H. M. government recognize the pri.
cipe of International law laid down by General
Cass in his note of The 10th of April and that MOTH
ing in the treaty of 1912 Qhe Ashburon treaty. su
persedes that law.
Thus, by the acts of British cruisers, this ques-
ton of search has become one of practical char
acter. As such it met by the President by the
prompt denial Of the right Of visitation, and denoun
cling its exercise violation of the sovereign uris
diction of the United States their own merchant
ships, and by the despatch to the West Indies of
competent naval force instructed to repel every eff
fort to visit or search such ships.
1t is, then, with no ordinary qualification that we
announce the final settlement of this ong.standing
and troublesome dispute by the prompt and manly
disavowal of any such right by Lord Malmesbury,
and his distinct recognition Of the principle of in
ternational law so explicitly laid down by General
Ca<s to Lord Napier.
We need not say that this suspicious conclusion
of a subject which, perhaps more than any other
within the range OF foreign relations, has excited
and agtated the public mind of America, is IN the
highest degree gratifying to our national pride, as
we believe it to be honorable to both nations. 1t
had become evident to the least thoughtful observer
of the two countries that what the United States
claimed immunity to her flag upon the public va.
ters-could not be resisted without endangerng the
peace of the world and this question pre-
sented on the basis of violation Of that immunity,
the government Of Great Britain had either to justify
the Of its cruisers, the other hand, at
and forever accede to the principles of inter.
national law laid down by the American government.
Lord Malmesbnry in the most prompt aud honorable
manner adopted the latter course, We congratulate
the country at this most auspicius conclusion
1t is thus seen how the high interests of the ma
ton promoted by ntrustng to the hands Of such
statesmen James Buchanan and Gen. Cass the
discharge of executive duties - Washington Union