Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-21
The Right Of Search.
State
Committee.

Previous to the war of 1912, Great
Britain claimed the right of searchingour
vessels, for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether there were British subjects on
board employed as seamen. Under this
pretended right many barbarities were
practiced. American citizens were ruth
lessly dragged on board British men-of-
war, and carried to India or Botany Bay,
or any other locality, while their families
and friends mourned their loss. Against
this the American spirit rebelled, and that
rebellion resulted in the war, one of the
motto's of which was Sailors Rights"
But the continental war was closed by
the downfall OF Napoleon the Great; and
then our government, fearing that Eng
land, released from the pacifcation of
Europe, might bring her whole power to
crush our navy, and destroy our COM
merce, hastily made peace, without de-
handing a single concession on the part
ofthe foe. The two countries after spend
ing great sum of money and massacre
ing several thousands of men and women
simply parted as they began, and all that
was gained or lost on either side save
gold and blood, was glory. The right Of
search slept for while-was not claim
ed, or if claimed was not practiced. But
in process of time various powers combin-
ed to declare the slave trade piracy, and
, promised to exert themselves to put it
down. Yet the slave trade fourished,
5 and was never perhaps more active than
i for the past few years. In view Of the
4 fact England and some other govern
ment stipulated to station men-of-war on
+ the coast of Africa to watch vessels ira
ding there, and if found engaged in that
traffic, to confscate them, and deal with
f their crews according to the law. Under
- British commanders revived the old
claim ofright of search.
e Years ago there was considerable d.
= plomacy on the subject, and then the
z British minister was understood to give
t, up the "right of SEARCH but to claim the
e, right of VISIT the latter purpose being
M simply to look at the papers and prevent
in piracy. There was no definite settlement
Y, of the question however, aud of late quite
er number Of our vessels have been visited
IL in various places by overbearing British
as commanders, and several vessels have
ch even been fired into, in the West Indies
ST. Now we are no advocate for the slav,
trade, nor slavery. 1t is the great blot OIL
en- the bright escutcheon of our country, an,
er no doubt its greatest curse, but we canno
lot subscribe to this mode of putting it down
Of No doubt our flag is abused and disgraeed
al being hoisted over many a vessel whe
n there are multitudes of poor suffering an
he dying creatures on board, but we can
Iii not submit to have John Bull lord
over us, and command our seamen to DO,
obsequiously to the officer of a gun-boa
,oo with a "union jack" flying at its peak
we must be evident TO all that we cannC
of yield the police of the seas to any otht
M nation. Our own country must contrt
nt- its own rights on the ocean, subject onl
to his supremacy who rules the winds an
rt- waves. The dictatoral, profane an
& indecent language used by some Of the
IA fourth corporals," when they comman
our vessels to heave too, is enough
ION make ones blood boil at these lordly mil
m. ions of old England. We are no adv,
Gates of war, and would throw out T
the threat, but any one can see that unle
loft the practice ceases blood will flow. tt
~ general maritime law of nations must |
respected. The alag protects the cargc
rt1, of whatever character that be. If OF
art flag is abused some other remedy mu
be provided instead of the overheard
conduct of these self created policemen.
ac- We annex several resolutions adopt,
nh at meeting Of shipmasters, shipowne
tba and others, held at New York on Satu
NC day last -
ord ReSol0ed, That the late measure of !
u solent search of American merchantm,
instituted by British naval officers in Il
Vi West Indies is an outrage upon our RICH
injurious to our commerce, and insultil
HS in the extreme to our national honor.
ay' ResOlUed, That the navigators of Il
~ meeting assert that their experience
o!A foreign waters has proved that the Anne
~ lean navy has ever afforded to Americi
i "nl sailors but little Or no protection.
oils Resolved, That Congress should ass
u the administration to enforce retributit
for every high-hsnded wrong so as