New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-28
TlrE sEwAnD-LYONs TREATY.

received with Rylditv.
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THsR sEyyA8D-LYGNs TREATY.
If nothing moro were practically to come of
the Treaty which has just beeu negotiated be-
tween MIR. Seward aud Lord Lyons than bas
como of other Conventions for the suppression
of the trade in African slaves, it would still be
of high Importance as being u confession that
IA much has not been done heretOioge as might
have been, and as being renewed protest By
the two foremost Powers Of the world against
the perpetuation of an atrocious evil.
Little more than five years ago, when coz
seryatiye member from Tennessee moved that
the House Of Representatives regard propose
tions for a revival Of the African save-trade as
shocking to tho moral sentiment OF the en'
lrcbtened norton of mankind, there were 10
Ga,ver than 6fty. seven members Of the House
vbo brayclV refused TO be committed 10 any
such condemnation of tho traffic. That memo
tabIe vote was taken 70 late as tho l1th oi
December. 1856. And an analysis OF 1t shows
that if tie minority was little more than one
third of the majority 1t nevertheless
ropresepted a sectional interest strong
enough "a TO its influence on he Executive to
paralyze and render, in q measure, nuestory
any international act for the overthrow OF the
trade in ,laves llr. Stewards advance to Lord
LYONS in opening the question, in his letter oil
the 22d of March, is, therefore, graceful con-
f.s,ion that tie record of the past IN this bus
| mess was not such rs the Government oi
/ free people ought to present to the world
The ONLY case Of the debarkaiion OF slaves ID
the United States since 1912, which Mr.. Seward
acknowledges, was that Of the Wanderers but
tbe Infamous traffic, he admits, has beer
largely carried on under the fig oi tie United
States; and I" the operations of The naval forces
I" of the two countries On the coast oi Africa
4" when carried on under the most favorable
/" auspices, proved very Intellectual" Win tAls
frank admission, Mr.. Seward prepared the way
for the conference with Lord Lyons, which re-
suited so satisfactorily in the treaty which has
just been signed.
There are two features Of the Convention
the text Of which We publish in full IN other
columns this morning-which desersc particu-
lar notice. The first is the special character
assigned 10 the service OF OBTAINING and search
ing suspected vessels; and the other is the Gre
alton of three Courts OF Coordinate jurisdiction
for the settlement of disputed ughts-thc
Courts TO hold their sittings ut Sierra Leone,
the Cape of Good Hope. and in the City Of
New-York.
In order 10 fix the reciprocal right Of search
in way which Will render it at once as free
as may be from a needless annoyance to honest
merchant traders, and at the came time secure
the object aimed at in the treaty, the right IL
only to be exercised by vessels of war expressly
commissioned for the service, and provided
with copy of the Convention and the instruc-
tons which are attached 10 it. Zach OF tie con-
tracing parties is to communicate 10 the other
from time 10 time the names Of the vessels in
commission for this service and also the force ol
each vessel. with the name Of its commander. The
reciprocal right Of search is only 70 be c1er-
csed within tie distance Of two hundred miles
from the coast of Africa and south Of tie 32d
parallel Of north latitude, and within thirty
leagues Of the coast OF the island Of Cuba.
The provisions "a to conducting the search Oi
suspected vessels are 30 simple rs to require
no special comment beyond this that the Gov
ernments recprocslly agree TO make good any
losses which their respective subjects or cti-
zens may incur by arbitrary or Illegal deien-
ton of their yessels.
Il The Courts are TO consist Of Judge aud
an Arbitrator appointed by each OF tho con-
tructing Governments. aud invested with
plenary powers. Jney arc 10 adudge,
definitely and without appeal, all questions
arising ont Of the capture and detention Of
vessels. In tie case Of death or a ,acrrcy in
the Court tho Consul or Nice-Con.ul OF either
country is, ex-ofico, TO Ill the Office for The
time, and is invested iog ihat purpose with ful
judicial power under the provisions of the
sreay. Tie judicial process is simple. Toe
Judees IRE fr,t TO proceed TO examine lie
papers of the de aimed vessel, tako the depo-
sition Of the master and two OF three other.
of the principal ofcers on board; take. also,
f the declaration of the captor, and in the event
OF disagreement between the Judges, they
are to draw By lot tho name Of one Of tie
arbtrators, and determine the question BY the
simple law Of majority.
+ The articles OF tue treaty proper, as well as
tho provisions which apply 10 its working, are
as concise aud explicit as is consistent with
the grave interests which may be in issue; and
the most notable and commendable feature OF
the whOle-incuding specially the preliminary