The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-15
"Optics sharp 1t needs ] ween
To see what Is not 70 be seen y

Should the British government accept MIR. Blairs
justification and appeal to him for authority, what
compliment it will be to his patriotism if they re-
fuse it, what commentary it will be upon his sa-
gacity as politicianl Mr. Blair is, indeed, q brave
man, as shall by the merest reference to the
facts in the case. 3sasi - isF si9a# 3
Mr.. Blair has given us, we beg permission to say,
not the version of Gen. Cass letter to Lord Napier
but the utter perversion Of that paper =. tp5s .
The Secretary for instance, tells his lordship that
o bockading squadron cannot stop the slave,
trade. That, in respect thereto Independent Of
the rights Of other nations from such "a squad
rom it has been found practically ineRcient; that
slave trading has gone on increasing in its pres
ence. The American government, therefore, de-
clines to add to it's naval force, not because the
people indifferent to the enforcement of the laws
ON the subject of the slave trade but because such
preventives have proven unavailing and useless. q
But the Secretary likewise tells Lord Napier that
the true way prevent the slave trade is to prevent
the sale Of slaves for if they could not be sold they
would not be bought. To meet this principle, means
should he employed to prevent the introduction of
slaves into countries where they are now received
III OlueI lWO1uNy bnut tuc pOItS VI SauA W tic
entrance of slaves is to shut the ports of Africa
their departure, And to effect this nothing would
seem to be wanting but the cordial cooperation of
the Spanish government The example of the United
States is sufficient to show that, however extensive
country may be- it can be rendered inaccessible to
this evil by sound state Of public opinion, and by
rigid laws rigidly executed" e,i5ala sl5 ,si., IS
The Secretary refers to the United States and Bra
I'll in proof Of the fact that by the exercise Of proper
means the introduction of slaves into any country
can be entirely prevented, and says that Spain has
entered into engagements with Great Britain, if not
with France, that she will her best exertons to
prevent the Introduction of slaves into her domin-
ions. On this point we quote the commentary Of
General Cass ,sl ai t fsi{r
"Thia pledge, If given, has certainly not been re-
deemed. though L dacult to believe that the Spanish
government would resist neglect the Arm remonstrnn
Of these two great powers, or even Of Great Britain
alone she alone h the right by treaty stipulation
demand Of Spain the faithful performances Of duties which
Spsnsh government fer moro depends than Upon TIE
roroas Nockads Of As ASiam coaa - q 4i
Upon this statemsnt of facts, the honorable Mr..
Blair finds justifcston for the recent outrages COM
! mitted by British cruisers upon our merchant ves-
sells. OF course, the gentleman from ST. Louis insists
that such oatrsges were invited by u.s. that large
increase of the naval force Of England. and vigil
liant maritime police in the waters of the Gulf were
remedies suggested and endorsed by Gen. Cass as a
! means Of preventing the slave trade. 8tia ne
The Secretary it will be seen, did not believe in
the efficacy Of detective squadrons, in the power
| Of even large naval force to prevent the slave
trade He was of opinion that half centurys sxpe-
riencs, in which tho labors Of such squadrons had
proven utterly unavaiang. was quite sufficient to
convince US that if the end sought thereby was 10
DO accomplished, more appropriate means must DO
resorted TO, that moro efficient weapons should be
employed in other words tAst the real slave trade
the responsible. the active, and the only Interested
party--wss the government Of Spain. Good faith in
the work Of prevention by that government which
commands the fields for the profitable employment Of
slave labor, would rapidly destroy the slave trade
Gen. Cass then refers Lord Napier to engagements
supposed to have been into between his gov,
eminent and that Of her Catholic Majesty, and re-
minds him that all history proves how completely il
is within the power of the latter TO prevent the slave