The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-13

tells him that Ivy an arrangement with
that power. an English boat might be sent along
side Of a French ship and ask to see her papers,
but not, unless invited, board the vessel. On
The 18th Of June, Lord Malmesbury Celebrates
in despatch to Lord Napier his ney position
toward the United States. He begins with the
same admissions, that the law was against him,
with which be had bumbugged Mr.. Dallas, then
he assumes the championship of civilization, aud
asserts the necessity Of police of the high seas
to put down American rascal-; aud impudeoty
adds that the way things are now going on every
honest trader will soon fly from the American
flag upon the ocean as from pirate This ne
cessity Of "police Of the high seas he defends
by an ingenious use Of a partial extract from
General Cass' letter of the 10th Of April last,
and citation proving that an American naval
officer had exercised the right of search on two
French vessels. We have long ago stated our
belief that it was on this slip of General Cass'
that Lord Malmeebury hung his apparent con-
cessions, and the fact is now proved. AS for the
example cited, Of the commander of the United
States ship Dale it only proves how little some
and their relations to the merchant service, and
shows the necessity Of ventilating thoroughly
the question of the right of visit and search 10y
menofwar on the ocean.
Lord Mamesbury also gives as see ingly
against himself the view taken by the French
Admiral Hammeln stating expressly, however,
that the British government does not accord in
it. The French admiral only claims that rner-
chant vessel shall be obliged to show her colcrs
to a man-ofwar at sea, but without being
stopped or tarned out of her course, unless there
isjust ground for suspicion This, however, is
practical admission of the necessity of police
on the high sess. 1t is in practice the European
system of making man show his passport when
ever an officer demands ii. A passport is the evil
dence of a mans identity and nationality, as
ships colors are OF hers. Their forced exhibi-
ton on the high seas during time Of peace is
an undue exercise Of authority, and an improper
call for respect to authorities. 1t is the erection
of Gesler's pole and hat upon the ocean for the
citizens of every nation to bow before. Such
practice accords well enough with the theories
of "tbe empire" which demand that
every private person shall uncover before IN Off
cial, but il will not set we'll upon the stomachs
of the free citizens of the United States
But the last two paragraphs of Lord Ma'mes-
burys Etter to Lord Napier are the most re-
markabie Of all They convey as distinct a
threat as ever was conveyed in diplomatic Ian
guage. He tells us that we must admit tee es-
Enlistment Of this police of the seas, for these
irritating controversies inevitable as lorg az
the letter Of the international law il made 10
override these measures which, British expert
Of life and property on the high seas, but which
neither the United States nor France have ever
acquiesced in. How Dir. Dallas or Gen. Cass, or
any Other man possessing common sense, could
conceive that this letter of Lord Malmesbury
was satisfactory settlement CT the right CT
search, We cannot understand.
The position Of our governm snt Is directly
position is clearly laid down in Gen. Cas-
letter OF the 30th OF June. The Ameri |
can idea il there set forth, that the occa-
.ional abasc of flag il far less evil than the |
Of England's preteisions would |
be-. and that the freedom Of all merchent vessels
rom detention upon the ocean concerns every |
nation. II il now evident that the question OF |
The right OF search is not settled. and that our |
government and that of England are IN direct |
conflict upon IT, England has now extended her |
claim 10 exercise police right upor the ocean.
to its exercise in the ports and rivers Of neutral
weaker nations The recent proceedings of the
British officers in the harbor Of Sar Juan del
Nmte and tie COLORADO branch Of thas river are
Of far more fragrant character than were the
proceedings last spring in the Cuban waters.
The freedom cf our cSamerce on every sea and
in every barber is inv ovcd IN the question. The
administration and Congress must tase il up at
once. and maintain the liberty Of the American
sailor and the American flag evcrywherp. We
ar, on the eve Of an Important conlct with the
Western Powers Of Europe. If we ccdc our
rights now we shall never recover them again
without a lioody conflict that will rock tn
whole world. and NO present ccssion on our PAT.
will secure peace to az. Concession, cace begun,
knows no end.