Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-06-25
From the London Telepranb L.

From the London Telegraph june
1t is at all times difficult to determine the right -
nations at sea. They depend less upon actual fooso
than upon that general and indefinite code known es
law OF nations and great wars have frequently oriot
in misconception Of the privileges enjoyed by marti
Powers under the undeclared jurisdiction of this anbn
IT, The rights thus acquired are partly natural ~I
customary; and much depends upon the method ny
which they are enforced A very painful question ~
voving the Interpretation of this universal pternat
law has arisen between Great Britain and the Tu;a1
States of America but in dealing with it we shall ~
careful not to prejudice the points at ISSUE or accent M
allegation on either side in their entirety since there
an obvious and unfortunate amount of bitterness on R
part OF the American merchantmen and British cruisers
between whom the controversy has taken place. In tb
absence OF official information of kind which has oo
tainly not yet reached any in this country miles, =
be the discreet Secretary for Foreign Affairs it Womb
be rash to anticipate what complexion the dispute NOV
assume and all that is possible or even desirable ~
this stage, is to express hope that, foreseeng as No
must diplomatic contention of most unhappy char
acter accompanied by free recrminations from the n
in both countries spirit of mutual generosity and r
bearance will be displayed. Wewant no American wa
upon our hands we can afford to make no unworthy ~
unjust concessions but if to escape the one and
the other alternative this matter must not be allowed ~
become one of jealous and arrogant boastings Nit b
not exactly necessary that new conservative Asbhn
ton should undertake to arrange the terms of Rrfh
captuation it would be equally unwise to invoke
of the world and conductive to the interests and to the
honor of neither nation.
1t must be remembered that the complication IL ono
of serious difficulty. Certain British cruisers arc bn
ged with having wantony and violently stopped cho
lenged fired into boarded and searched nnnpho f ~
States merchant vessels in the Central American waer
and the Gulf of Mexico the complaints from the latter
quarter being the most numerous and important since
is stated that the commander of the British war spa
Styx had announced that the orders of his govern
| to ~.
proceeding up or down the Gulf Now this collision
between our public marine and that of the North Amer
lean republic is one In every to be regretted since
the circumstances themselves are embarrassing and
does not appear that any decision can Immediately be
arrived at without compromising, in an injurious degree
one OF the great Powers concerned. We cannot aban
don the right Of search IN reference to America acitlon
abandoning at regards the rest of the Uorld we can
not recall Gulf cruisers without establishing an AZ
rcan squadron we cannot suppress our ocean police
without again licensing practically, if not avowedly
that slave traffic which has been the of one mighty
continent and the reproach of another But at the same
time if it be really essential in order to maintain this
principle that American ships should be treated as we
led to believe by the reports in the transatlantic
journals, we may be assured that must give way or
fight for prerogative SINCE if there be nation upon
earth inclined to suffer the Inconvenience of such syS
tem it is not the hardy proud and powerful race which,
in the New World speaks language and nherits our
| independence.
The Supreme Court of the United States has laid
down, in memorable judgment, that the slave trade is
opposed to the law of nature and of nations and Ame
ca has entered into treaties with Great Britain for the
suppression of this Infamous barter so far as the sea
concerned. We have right then, to capture and con-
scae every SLAYER and to punish the captains and
crew but how far and in what shape is that right to-
asserted? Does it authorize in visiting principal
port of Cuba boarding twelve American vessels inspect
ing their papers, ransacking their holds and gaugng
their water barrels Does it qualify captains to fire
into American ships in the Gulf of Mexico so as to en-
danger life and property, and to be guilty of insulting
and domineering behavior? These questions we ask
without condemnng any one in anticipation of the ev
dence The statements before u.s. and they must be
sfted. The British public has no interest whatever in
countenancng acts of outrage excess of ZEAL
the part of its naval officers. In the strict performance
of their duty they will meet with every support but
there is very clear difference between the courtesy of
gentleman and the swagger of pirate and if the con-
duct of certain English commanders has been such as
the American papers aege, they may although in the
literal execution of their ORDERS have deserved the
est apprehension We send out cruisers to prevent
the traffic in slaves, but do not send them out to
ablish nautical reign of terror in the Gulf of Mexico
We trust that the most ample and impartial invesga-
ton will be made into the whole of this affair." which is
not to be explained away by few words of official
ambiguity. In reply to the question put by Mr. Lind
say last night on this important subject Mr. S. Ftzge
aid, it will be observed, on the part of Mr. Walpoe
formation from Washington, assigning reason for
the frequent exercise of the right of search by British
cruisers that it the constant practice of save tC
hoist American coors. For this man0uvre it would b.
rather difficult to find remedy, though our trans-atan
tic friends could doubtless we'll dispense with so ques
tionabe compliment. Mr.. Fitzgerald further intima
ted that orders have been sent out to the commanders
of cruisers conveying instructions to act with great
er caution regards vessels under the circumstance
which had been made the subject of complaint. A.
no in IN no
nature of these instruction. and not in position
to judge how far they calculated to their pro
fessed object.
The difference we say is unfortunate in every respect
The honor of this country and the conduct of her Off
GERS have been called in question, but this is not all
With regretabe preciptancy, number of the Ameri
can journalists have rushed into print with magnioquen
denunciaons doing their worst to provoke the popula
hostility against Great Britain. 1t would be easy t
excite similar feeling on this side of the Atlantic but
all rational men will desire to witness speedy and ami
cable solution of the embarrassments which have arisen
If it be true however, that eight weeks ago govern
ment received an ntmation from General Cass that thu
proceedings complained of would longer be permitted
the country will look to Lord Malmesbury for eXpa
nation of the fresh and vigorous orders stated to have
been transmitted to the Gulf since that period W.
have been thrown into perpexty to say the least
the best of Guiding it is not by blind audacy
OF course, if any American merchantmen were so il
advised to of cruisers with shot
ted guns, she would merely put America in the wrong
damage her moral position and draw upon herself some
thing beyond official inspection but we scarce
ly believe that the United States captains will
with much rashness ignorance and barbarity. TIKI
only for them to pursue IS to appeal to their gov
eminent for protection, and not to rest while their gre
vances if grievances they be- remain unredressed T(
take the law into their own dispensatlOn would be
afford clear diplomatic advantage to Great Britain.
q What are termed, however, the "public ships" o.
the men of war of the United States stand in a differ