The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-10
THE POLICE OF THE SEAS AGAINST PIRACY
WHAT HAS THAT TO DO WITH SEARCH2

WHAT HAS THAT TO DO WITH sEARCH2
Mr. Gladstone ia reported to have said not long
ago in the House of Commons :" II is not the ordi-
nance of Providence that the government Of one ma
ton should correct the morals of another" The
London Morning star, quoting Mr. Gladstone, says
ON the subject discussed:
There hardly two opinions In this country as to
the duty OF our government not only to dsayow any
ects OF violence committed by cruisers upon Ameri-
ships in the Cuban waters If can be proved that
the alleged facts correctly stated but ~ withdraw
altogether from that claim to tho right of search which
neither America any other great maritime
be brought TO recognise and admit The maintenance of
this right has long been nothing but the assertion Of
barren principle which we have not attempted to enforce
and which everybody knows be enforced with
out the certainty of with the United States 1t
doubt true, Lord Mamesbury lately remarked that
II oil restrictions tho of the American flag
moved every pirate and SLAYER the face of the
will carry their nearious trades under of it's
protection How far it will BIO honorable 10 Christian
State TO become the patron of all the scum and scoun
delsm floating upon the it Is for the people Of
that State to determine We would fan hope that our
brethren the other side Of the Atlantic would not long
tolerate infamous prostitution of their national flag
But in any America must be left to protect her
morals and reputation
The people of the United States are indebted alto
gother to British statesmen and journals for proofs
of the completely of our vessels in the slave trade
NOM adduced Of our moral guilt, we trust at least
we shall be excused by the lawyers and judges of
her Najestys bar and bench. Let us look into this
matter little.
The British government have heretofore claimed
the right Of visitation as it is calledthat u.s. the
right to detan and search all vessels upon the
ocean order to ascertain their national character
The United States have always denied the existence
Of any such right, and the British government have
now abandoned the position and conceded there is
no such right, and they have disavowed the prnci-
pie they have SO long and pertnaciously contended
for. Under the opinion Of their law officers they
have accepted the American doctrine.
The British government says to the American gov
eminent, "You claim entire immunity for your yes
sells upon the ocean, aud we concede it. But you
do not claim this immunity for a vessel not your
own and which falsely hoists your colors, for the
consequence Of such a prstension, if established,
would be that pirate would be free from capture,
for sho might hoist what colors she pleased, and
change them as she pleased, and thus place herself
beyond the reach of every armed cruiser in Chrisen
dom.
aAnd you could not examine your own vessels, for
power, and they would thus be safe from American
law.
aNow, to prevent this tits desirable that should
agree upon some mutual arrangement by which the
national character Of vessels may be ascertained.
The French government has proposed that q boat
be permitted to alongside but without the right
to enter unless invited
The American government agree that the immu-
nifty it claims is for its vessels and for other
That immunity depends upon their true national
character, and not upon a f1lse assumption
The views of this government upon this point
were distinctly laid down by Mr. Webster
when he was Secretary of State in letter dated
March %, 1s43 to Mr.. Everett, then our minister
to London, in which he says " At the same time
the Of the United States fully admits that
its flag can give no immunity to pirates, to any
other than to regularly documented American YES
sells" a
It's desirable if such plan could be adopted with
safety that arrangement should be entered int
by which the abuse of flags could be prevented, by
the concession of Alright TO ascertain the national char
acter Of vessel But there great difficulties in the
way of such arrangement, The immunity of mer-
chant vessels upon tho vastly important to all
commercial powers, and the entire exemption of their
own from foreign detention is dear to the hearts OF
the American people. No eficacious plan occurs to
the American government which may not be liable
also to gross abuses, leading to evils greater than
those it seeks to prevent
This government cannot concede right which,
ia effect, might destroy the freedom of navigation.
1t Ia well known that any power granted with this
view would be liable TO great abuse.
Tho British government then maintains, if no such
arrangement can be made, it may happen that their
officers, acting in good faith, but misled by suspi
cious appearances, may enter vessel really Ameri
can, but beloved to have falsely assumed that char
sctcr. Should such case happen it is beforehand
conceded to be respsss for which they confess their
responsibility, and for which the most ample repara-
ton would DO made and the officer punished, if he
conducts himself with any improperly.
To tbs the American government responds, This is
no matter for discussion If trespass is committed
against us we shall judge what course we ought to
take when the case happens and the facts are
tanned. Undoubtedly the circumstances may make
such case more or less offensive and the conduct
Of the officer more or less excusable depending on
his motives, and whether he made an honest mis-