The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-07-02
The search 0urstien Settled.


On the l0tl OF April last, Gen. Cass address
sed letter TO Lord Napier, on the subject Of
the claim ol the British government 10 search
or visit American vessels upon !hv high seas,
saying
e'The President ofthe United States, in his
annual message to Congress, in December, 1871 /,
denounced this pretenson TO detain and exam
inc American vessels as an Interpolation into
the maritime code OF the world 10 which the
United States would not submit. The years
which have passed since this aut hortive decla-
ration. marked as they have been by repeated
remonstranceS against these aggressions, while
they have added nothing to the strength of The
claim, have served but 10 confirm the govern
ment in their determination to oppose it. No
change of name can change the Illegal charac-
ter of the assumption. Search visit, II is
equally an assault upon the independence OF
nations"
We regard il as fortunate that British crus-
crs in the West India waters had exercised over
American trading vessels the right of visitation:
/ because, in SO doing, the important question oi
the law involved in the matter was the more
likely to become of practical importance, and
thus demand on the part Of the two govern
mentS its definite settlement. Gen. Cass. in
explicit terms and with distinct reference TO the
dispatch oi Lord Aberdeen, in 1912, disavowed
the right Of her Majesiy's cruisers to visit Amer
ican merchant ships, declaring such an act TO be
San assault upon The Independence Of the ma
ton
II is not our purpose 10 run through The ncgo-
tIations which have taken place between Gen.
Cass and lord Napier in this city since the 10th
ofAprlI. Ii is enough TO say, as we understand
the present aspect ol the question, that Lord
Malmesbury now declares that II. NJ. govern
ment recognize the principle Of international
law as laid down by Gen CaSs in his note Of
the 10th April, and that nothing in the treaty
of 1912, tthe Ashburton ircaty,) snpercedes that
law.
Thus, BY the acts Of British cruisers, this
question OF search has become one of 7racti-
cal character AS such it was met bytPe Pres
ldent by the prompt denial of the right Of visi-
tation, and denouncing its exercise as a VIOLA
ton of the sovereign jurisdiction Of the United
States over their own merchant ships, and bv
the dispatch to the West India of a competent
naval force instructed TO repel every effort to
visit or search such ships.
II is, then, withno ordinary qualification that
we announce the final settlement OF this long
s'dhuiI anu tIOuJI@soHe us Ilute oN the prompt
and manly disavowal OF any such right By Lord
Malmesbury, and his distinct recognition of the
principle ofinternational law so explicitly laid
down by General Cass TO Lord Napier.
We need no, say that this auspicious conclu-
sion of subject which, perhaps more than any
other within the range OF our foreign relations,
has excited and agitated the public mind of A.
merica, is in the highest degree gratifying to
our national pride, as we believe il to be honor
able to both nations. Ii had become evident 70
the least thoughtful observer of the two coun-
tries that what the United States clamed-im-
munity to her flag upon the public waters
could not be resisted without endangering the
peace ofthe world; and, as this question was
presented on The basis OF yioIatiia4 Of that i'm
either 10 Justify the course Of lis cruiso,-, - an
the other hand, at once and forever accede 10
the principles of internatianaI law, laid down by
the American government. Lord Malmesbury
in the most prompt and honorable manner a
dopted the latter course. We congratulate the
country at this most auspic;ous conclusion.
1t IS thus seen how the high interests Of the
nation are prompted by intrustng TO the hands
OF sGch statesmen as James Buchanan, and
Gen. Cass the discharge Of executive dulles
Washington Union