"Untitled," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, April 22, 1843

Summary: The editor expressed his thoughts on British efforts to stop the Atlantic slave trade. Gave examples of several governments, specifically Bremen and France, that have expressed reservations about the hardball tactics used by the British navy, especially the "right of search". He then criticized both the American and British governments for being too lenient, since neither government would detain Spanish ships, even if they were carrying slaves, if the captains had proper documentation. It seems he wanted both governments to put more muscle into stopping the trade.

To us it seems that the right of search (or right of visit) doctrine contended for by Great Britain is losing ground in Europe. A case of apparent injustice has occurred under the measures taken to carry out the right as established by a treaty between Great Britain and Bremen. A Bremen vessel was seized by a British cruiser on the coast of Africa and sent home for trial, because the officer appointed to make the search believed that she had more water and more extensive perparations for cooking than were requisite for the crew. It was proved that neither was on a larger scale than were required for the wants of the ship, and she was discharged. An action was then brought by the Bremen vessel for damages for the detention, injury to the ship and loss of cargo, and judgement given in her favor, when the English Government appealed to the Supreme Court, instead, as the U.S. papers say, of making the prompt reparation promised in such cases. It would seem that Bremen is not satisfied with the operation of the treaty.

Although France is at present bound by a similar treaty with England, it appears that she too is sick of the bargain. The recent address of the deputies to the throne contained the following passage.

"United by the feelings of humanity, the Powers apply themselves to the suppression of the infamous traffick in black slaves. We have seen with satisfaction, that, in continuing to lend to this just aim the support of France, the government of your majesty has refused its assent to an extension of existing treaties. For the strict and faithful execution of these treaties, as long as they exist, we repose on the vigilance and firmness of your government. But struck by the inconveniences, revealed by the experience, and to the accomplishment of the common task, we look forward with the strongest hope to the moment when our commerce shall be replaced under the exclusive surveillance of our own flag."

The U.S. papers contain another lengthy letter from Mr. Webster to the American Minister in England on this subject, to be communicated to the British Government. The U. States still resolutely denies acknowledging any "right" of the character contended for by Great Britain.

By the way the U.S. authorities have lately come much nearer the recognition of this right in practice than by words. A man of war of that Government sent recently to search for pirates in the vicinity of the Isle of Pines, gave chase to a suspicious vessel, overhauled and examined her, when it appeared that, although having some hundreds of slaves just brought from Africa on board, she had regular papers as a Spanish merchantman, and she was permitted to proceed. This is precisely such a case as was supposed by Sir Robert Peel, and he only claimed the right for his Government to act in the same way under similar circumstances, declaring that a vessel with regular papers could not be detained, even if she had slaves on board. The U.S. Government, however, seems to think that England says one thing and means another, and is determined, like a prudent knave, rather to acknowledge too little than run the risk of acknowledging too much.

Source Copy Consulted: "Untitled," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, April 22, 1843, p. 2