Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-19
DISCUSSION IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON
THE SLAVE TRADE
THE UNITED STATES DksoUScED REFUSING TO SUBMIT
TO THE RIGHT SEARCH.

| THE SLAVE TRADE.
THE UNITED DENOUNCED FOR REFUSING TO SUBMIT
| TO THE RIGHT or SEARCH.
There was spirited debate in the British Parliament
on the 18th ult on the African slave trade in the
Of which the government of the United States
rely but urlsty taken TO task for refusing submit
the right of visit and search the part Of the English
cruisers At the opening Of the discussion Mr. Cave, in
summary of acts on the slave trade referred TO
Lord John Rlssels circular on this subject, and the
nv TO il by the President OF the United States Of which
Ia ter he remarked that while he agreed in its sentiment
he could not agree with the arrogant tone in which it
vas couched and which Lord John Russes circular did
rot warrant.
Lord John Russell said that the government had done
ell in its power to arrest the slave trade aud great
extent its efforts had bSen successful He then narrated
the many difficulties encountered and further said
"But we are met with another obstncle and that is
that these sivers carry the American flag hear, hear
AID many OF them saved in that have read
oy and over again in the American newspapers that
lere is large association with considerable capital at
Havana which has relations with New York and with
0 her ports on the coast of America The agents pur
chase vessels in New York and elsewhere, and these
sent sometimes directly to the OF Africa. They
rive off the coast and perhaps for weeks unable TO
embark their human cargo but opportunities ultima
ty found. As the honorable gentleman truly, said, one
squadron, however active cannot prevent the embarka'
ton of slaves along the whole coast The ships then
brought to Cuba where they anchor in some OF the small
creeks habors and the slaves are landed and dsper-
sed among the plantations.
IAN this time our cruisers are unable to touch them,
because they are covered by the American flag When
demonstrated on this subject the American govern
ment staed-and held that they were in their perfect
right in dong-ihat the right of search 10 time OF
peace by international law be allowed; and they
claim immunity for their ships, however engaged, from
any search by cruisers No doubt this flag has Gov
cred vast importation of slaves. IL the Spanish flag
lad been shown cruisers would at have seized
tia lint thew nr WI
possible TO do But met them think, with great
{. rncss. said, Il may be that the sensigeuess you
show in regard to the search OF your ships ustiabe
nay be that your national pride would never allow an
Il glsh officer to board, aud search vessels bona
tce in possession Of ships papers belonging to the Uni
ted States but If that be So do not depart from your
treaties and your declarations against the slave
trade put down yourselves and take all the credit and
q ry which will attach 10 the successful extinction OF
he slavetrade. Let US not touch single of your
ships nut do it eectually-do il for thi sake of your
character, for the sake of the great Republic which
Hope may still remain the United States of America"
Tbe President Of the United States the honorable
gentleman says directed the Secretary OF State to tell
ne that the American government has already heard
oaough OF these remousrances the part of the British
government, and hoped that they would not be contin
ucd. The honorable gentleman has seen that in the pa
pers, but he has not seen my answer. My reply was
th4t the american government might state Utat they
pleased but thai no declaration diplomatic remO,
STATE from demonstrating declaring that Il ods blot
tie United States that hey did no. efsetualiy sup |
press The siavs trade Cheers Ind more than that, |
stated thu! whsaerr occasion I,cod repeat the
rsaonstranees against wsich the american President |
had protested Cheers The state of things how |
ever for which think neither the honorable men,
Der any member OF the House will easily find REM
edy. The Spanish government while they take some |
steps which might be commended, while they arm some
cruisers TO check the slave trade do allow their officials
and especially the planters in the Isle Of Cuba, 10
derive enormous proitsas much TO- 80 and 100 per
ccl:-rom this horrible traffic, which is TO subject
Of adherence And this they enabled to do by the
protection given by the American ig 10 the vessels which
carry on the trade.
There proposal many years ago, which should |
be glad to adop,cd if it would work practically but
afraid neither the United Safes perhaps France
Spain would agree tc it, IL proceeds from sovereign
Who WAS altogether disinteresed in the mater-the En-
psror Alexander, of Russiawho, seeing the jealousfs
OF miiiime nations, proposed that there should be
Joint sqradron composed of ships of various countries,
empowered BY all to search for sIavers but bearing only
flag and carrying the prise before court empower
ed 20 condemn them. That seemed a very
a5e proposition but despairing Of being able to get
such suggestion accepted in its integrity proposed
bc the cruisers Of various nations should sail together.
Bot the American government sorry to say refused
that proposition
esahlish the slave trade. He hoped that the govern
mant would never recognize Southern Confederacy |
without express stipulation against the revival of the
,yerade. lie suggested that the slave coasts should
be taken under the protection OF Enghud, which would
o"ahe her cruisers the sayedealers priva
tscrs.
Alter some further remarks from various gentlemen,
Lord Pamerston said the Houc much indebted TO |
the member who had raised this discussion who must
81 that it b. obeced 10 the wording Of his resolutions,
tcrc practical difference between him and tie
government bur il a calumny to the country to say
to: encouraged the slave trade after the great and
III Iced successful efforts she had long made to put
cp to it. The speaker proceeded at considerable length
and ia the course Of his remarks said
The slave trade is confined exclusively TO that
centre OF abomuators--the island of Cuba. Hear,
hear The number of slaves imported into Cuba
formerly comparatively small but sorry to say that
within the last few years Il has greatly increased. Aud
hc~ why has il increasedy II is because the Amer
c7l Government from motives for which ought per
hsps to respect-irom n mistaken Of national
hJaorhas nterered to with mpunity that pros.
ii alton Of the American flag which the abomina
tiol Of the slave trade. When come 10 speak of
Sgau it impossible TO express too strongly ones sense
OF Indignation AZ the prof gate shameless and disgrace
fui bad faith with which the Spanish nation have acted
in reference to the treaties concluded with England
this matter" Hear, hear.
strong endorsement given to the Cooic system
by all the speakers. Il can hardly be doubted that this
trade equally infamous that Of the African is des-
tired to b. encouraged forthwith by British statesmen
LATER F.pu THE sOUTU