Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-05-27

From the Richmond Dispatch, May Is
Whilst Gen. Cass was Minister to France, a
quintuple treaty was aeceded to by England,
| France, Austria, Russia and Prussia, which in
volVeda mutual right Of search. General Cass
wrote a powerful protest against this treaty,
and the United States rejected it, as involving
the surrender Of principle we were bound to
maintain but in lieu thereof, agreed to main
tain a force on the African coast sufficient to
| prevent the American flag from being abused.
! Toe principle Of the United States is, that the
/ Gag covers the ship wherever she goes. twas
precisely this British assumption Gf the right
! OF search and visitation, and the refusal OF the
/ United States to acknowledge, or in any way
submit to il, which led to the last war with
/ Great Britain. We had at that time Scarcely
a dozen ships of war, but the national spirit
/ took no counsel Of prudence in the vindieation
of its honor, and the result was the most as
tonishing series of naval victories that the
world has ever seen. There was scarcely
contest on the seas, singly or in squadrons, in
which the Americans old not annihilate their
enemies whenever they met them. The prinei-
pies then fought for they are ready to maintain
again, and il forty years have added to the
power, population and maritime capacity Of
Great Britain, in none Of these particulars have
the United States been standing still. II we
have now a small navy, we have boundess ma.
tsrials for building, ineXhsustible naval stores,
ana ADuL llAlA Gu llVAeaNQ LAtEEucAL HthAltu
who can be transferred to the decks Of our
ships Of war, and to those myriads Of priva-
teers which wouid swarm on every sea.
We do not, however, anticipate war. The
government Of Lord Derby will probably spol-
ogize and countermand the orders issued by
Palmerston. But that will be poor satisfsc-
tion, and will not ensure US against a future
repetition of the offe1se-
The order Of the day-stopping and search
ing American vessels and apologies afterwards,
is becoming too monotonous. Let us try stop
ping and searching English vessels, and apollo
gies afterwards If our government should
order its vessels in the Gulf to fire into aud sink
the Styr wherever they meet her, the American
people would highly approve its conduct, and
Great Britain might charge us with that much
in the general settlement By negotiation here
after.
It is worthy Of observation, that whilst Brit
ish cruisers are picking up peaceful merchant
vessels on our own coast, under the pretence of
suppressiDg the African slave trade, the
shamelessly connive at the bold and systematic
African slave traffic now carried on by the En-
Deror of the French. One Of these French
slavers, the steamer Stella, a vessel Of only
three hundred aud eghty-three tons, lately left
the African coast, having on board cargo Of
nine hSndred and ffly .4fTioans, and it is said
the crew bossted Of having carried of their
cargo under the very guns OF an English cruiser.
Why was she not searched and visited? OF
this vast multitude, crowded into a hot little
steamer, not capable Of comfortable accommo-
dating hundred men, cEe-third perished be-
fore the vessel arrived at her destination. Yet
this vessel, and others If like character, are
permitted to pass on their way unmolested,
whilst American vessels, loaded with sugar,
machinery, and the products Of lawful and
peaceful industry, are daily outraged and
abused, under the pretsnee Of preventing the
traffic in African slaves.