The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-05
BALTIMORE.
SATURDAY, JUNE S, 1853.

Several articles have recently appeared In this
journal on the subject of the British outrages in
the Gulf of Mexico. 1t is the one absorbing topic
of the day We have endeavored to treat it, as we
have strven TO treat other subjects, with calmness
and moderation. Instead of seeking to inflame
popular feeling against Great Britain, we have
sought to pour oil on the troubled waters by
pointing out the inconsistencies and absurdties of
some of the stories that have reached us from
abroad and exposing the spurious character of
much of the blatant patriotism that has been ex-
hibited at home. Hitherto, we have wholly re-
Trained from discussing the main question at issue
and out of which, the entire controversy has
grown. We refer to the Right of Search-as
claimed by the British, and denied by ourselves.
We have hesitated to approach this important
queston-from an unpleasant consciousness that
the views which we entertain respecting the Right
of Search though undoubtedly correct according
to our understanding of the Law of Nations, differ
widely from those commonly held by American
statesmen and publicists, and which are most popu
lar at the present time. We did not wish to place
ourselves in the position of being supposed for one
moment, to justify palliate the insults that have
been offered to our flag. Now, however, that we
have said enough to indicate our sense of the in
dignity which has been inflicted upon the Republic,
and of the necessity for prompt and efficient steps
on the part of our government to obtain satisfac-
ton for the outrages that have been committed,
and TO rrAvnnt THAR in the fntnrn un
wish to enter our protest against the evident dis
position which we see manifested in high quarters,
toplace this country in false position as regards
the other maritime nations of the world, by as
Stunning in our controversy with England, ground
which is wholly untenable. We do not refer to
any possible suspicion which the opposition of our
Government to the Right of Search, may excite
elsewhere, of our secret connivance at the Slave
Trade, or of our willingness to see the American
flag used as a cover for that nefarious traffic We
believe our people and Government to be
fully as honest and sincere in that business as are
the people and Government of England. With
the exception of few foolish people at the South
whom nobody minds, there are no persons in this
country who either wish to see our own ports re-
opened to the Slave-Trade, or our flag dishonored
by being used for the purposes of that Trade by
slavers of other nations. This may be the reason
why the Tribune takes the British side of the present
quarrel but tit is not the point, from which we are
disposed to look at the subject.
On general principles of international law
and public policy, we contend that the Right
of Visitation and Search, under certain re-
strictions, and in certain circumstances, must
be conceded to the public armed vessels of
every nation. This position we think can be
made plain by reference to certain considera-
tons sufficiently obvious to every person of ordna-
ry intelligence. In the first place. it should be re-
membered, that ships-of-war do not sail the seas in
time of war only,-for the purpose of preying upon
an enemy's commerce, or of protecting their own
They traverse at all times, the lonely paths of ocean,
and constitute the necessary police of the seas with
out whose efficient protection no extended commerce
could be carried on. 1t is not very many years
since acts of piracy on the high seas were of fire.
quent occurrence. In all ages, the character of the
Buccaneer and the Sea-Rover has been invested
with halo Of romance and meo-drame which sell
dom surrounds that of the more vulgar criminal
who steals and robs on shore Famous corsairs
have always been popular heroes. They have had
their praises sung in countless ballads, and their
exploits have been celebrated in q thousand tales
Anciently, the profession of piracy was esteemed
highly honorable. The public fleets of Rome and
Athens were Systematically employed in piracy
The Vikings of Norway were the prototypes of the
corsairs of Barbary, and the Buccaneers of the
Spanish main. The first naval heroes of England
Sir JOHN HAWKINS, and ANsoN, and Admiral
DRAKE were pirates. What has put an end to all
this Buccaneering? Why are the only pirates
nowadays, the river thieves of New York harbor
or the Malays of the Eastern Archipelago? 1t
cannot be said that the advance of civilization and
the spread of religion and humanity have wrought
this change. Civilization and humanity have not
put stop to murders and robberies on the land
Why should their influence have been more DOW
erful on the sea? 1t is the great increase in the
public navies of the world, and the strict suryeil
lance exercised upon the ocean, by the cruisers of
all maritime nations, that has driven the sea-rob-
Der from the paths of commerce. Ships-of-war,
bearing the flags of every naval power, every
where patrol the seas. In peace and war, they go
up and down the Ocean-Stream, peer into every
port and haven, pry into every creek and cove,
and overhaul and search every suspicious
stranger whom they may meet in the solitudes
OF the Sea. Their Office is kindly neces-
sary-and q benevolent one. 1t is ordinarily ex-
ercised with courtesy; it has grown into a custom;
and generally speaking is not objected to by hon
est traders. The appearance of man-of-war of
any flag, is generally hailed with pleasure by lone
y travellers the great deep. 1t is an earnest of
safety and protection. Our shippers are not ord-
narily found to object to stopping moment in
their course, and holding brief parley with the
gallant stranger. A friendly chat with boats
crew over the ships taffrai, and friendly glass of
toddy with foreign officer in the cabin, are incl
dents in the dull monotony of a sea-voyage which,
hon. hay r,nt al If lo
disagreeable. The practice of forcibly arresting
vessel upon the high seas, and compelling her to
heave-to, is of course another matter. Com
pulsion is only resorted to, when the man-of-war
has some special reason for wishing to f'speak
the other vessel. 1t may be to obtain or to
impart information. 1t may be to satisfy rea-
sonable doubt to the nationality or the honesty
of vessel. In such case it is customary for the
man-of-war to lire gun, with blank charge |
This is signal for the other to heave-to If the
signal is disregarded, it is repeated. If the sig
nailed vessel still hold her course, and refuse to
heave-to that is enough ordinarily to excite the
strong suspicious of the cruiser, that all is not
right. Canvass is Immediately crowded for |
chase, and if possible, the fugitive is brought to,
by firing across her bows This we venture to |
affirm is the common law of the seas, and as such,
we know that it is acted upon quite as frequently
by our own cruisers as by those of any other |
power Our officers in of necessity, use quite
as niue ceremony in stopping an English, French |
OF Dutch trader, upon the high seas, as do those
OF Her Britannia Majestys Royal Navy. Yet for
forty years and more American statesmen with |
one accord, have been contending for different |
doctrine. They do not object of course, to |
foreign man-of-war Speaking one of our mer-
chantmen- -hailing her, that is, in friendly wav.