The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-23
The BIitisb Outrases OF Our Flax-Prompt
Action OF the Government.

We learn from Washington that Congress is
disposed to exhibit most commendable spirit
in relation to the British outragcs and the un-
serviceable condition Of our navy, and that
measures for the prompt increase of our steam
marine will be at once taken. Tie Naval
Committee in the Senate has reported bill for
the construction OF six steam sloops Of war, and
tomorrow the House Naval Committee will
report one for the construction OF ten steam
gunboats, which the Committee on Foreign
Relations will probably recommend to be in
creased to thirty. Eut, above all, the President
has taken decisive steps to interpose American
guns between American ships and British inso-
lence. The steamers Arctic and Water Witch
will depart at once on this mission, and other
vessels will soon follow. This energetic action
on the part Of Congress and the President viii
carry thrill of satisfaction to every patriotic
heart in the country.
There Is something more in the question OF
British outrage on the American flag than the
right Ct search, which is 30 entirely nimical to
American ideas ard principles and 80 justly
hateful TO the American mind. Little as we ere
disposed 10 submit 20 the insolence Of Brit n
naval officers we are still less inclined to he
made catspaw for the shifts and trickeries Of
Lord Palmerston, to whom no doubt the present
insulersble outrages owe their origin. whe
be found that be could net compel Louis Napo-
Icon 10 desist from his scheme of African APP
prentceship--the slave trade revived-he de.
termined to make a great fuss about the slave
nm Il. OIL In, 90
attention from his failure in connection with
The French Emperor's plan.
The suppression Of the slave trade Is bu, a
pretonce, subterfnge on the part Of Pslmers-
ton TO carry oui his double purpose Of screening
lis own failure and indulging bis spleen against
the United States.
IF England really desires to put a stop to this
obnoxious traffic, why does she not Insist that
Spain shall rigid]y observe heprovisious Of the
treaty?-insiss upon il even to the alternative OF
wary II is Spain, and Spain alone, which how
carries on this traffic. We have made no trsaiy
with her on the subject, but England has, an
If she were sincere II her philanthropy che
could compel Spain to abandon the slave
trade. The protence upon which the Latte,
IC CT mas lMiet 10 prevent the landing
cargoes Of slaves q Cuba is that The coas line
j. too great for her small naval force; yet She
has always been able TO protect herself from
flibusteriDg vessels She has been able to keep
her ports free OF that class Of ships. and
even to chase them through The ncighboring
waters Brazil, with an immense line Of coast.
has completely suppressed the trade with her
inefficient navy, because she was sincere IN her
professions. But il England were TO compel
Spain TO stop the slave trade with Africa, tho
right Of search would become a dead letter.
and Palmerston would lose his readiest means
Of annoying us
ia 1872 this country and England entered
INTO treaty for the suppression Of The slave
haf't o. Tie coast Of Africa We have