The French ambassador has delivered to me a despatch from his
government, in which M. Guizot describes in strong terms the feeling
which has prevailed for some time past in the French Chambers and
generally in France, relative to the right of search.
After detailing at length the reasons which have induced him to arrive
at such a conclusion, he suggests to Her Majesty's government the
expediency of appointing a joint commission for the purpose of inquiring
whether means may not be discovered for the suppression of the slave
trade, as effectual or even more effectual than those afforded by the
treaties which confer the mutual right search.
A copy of this despatch is enclosed for your Excellency's information.
M. Guizot correctly states that when, at the close of the year 1843,
the count of Sainte-Aulaire announced to me the intention of the French
government to propose certain measures which they felt satisfied would
be found preferable to the exercice of the right of search, and better
calculated to attain the objects in view. I at that time informed the
French ambassador that my conviction of the sincerity and zeal of M.
Guizot for the abolition of the slave trade would induce me to receive
any suggestions from him on the subject, and to submit them for the
consideration of Her Majesty's government.
Your Excellency may assure M. Guizot that her Majesty's government
attach no special value to the right of search, except in so far as
it affords an effectual means of suppressing the slave trade. They are
indeed aware that the exercise of this right cannot fail to be attended
with some inconvenience; and they would willingly see the adoption of
any measures which should be as effectual for the accomplishment of
the great end in view, and which should not be liable to the same
objections.
I am bound however, in candour, to declare that I have not hitherto seen
any plan proposed which could safely be adopted as a substitute for the
right of search: and when M. Guizot recollects how earnestly the people
of this country have desired the abolition of the slave trade, and
the enormous sacrifices which they have made, and are dayly making, to
secure the attainment of this object, he will not be surprised if we
hesitate to abrogate treaties the stipulations of which have been found
efficient, until we are satisfied that the measures about to be proposed
will be attended with equal success.
I abstain from enquiring into the causes which have led to the great
change of sentiment in France respecting these treaties, which up to a
recent period the French government had united with that of Her Majesty
in pressing on the adoption of other nations.
Be these causes what they may, I fully admit that such engagements, if
not executed with cordiality and zeal by both the contracting parties,
must become less likely to answer the purpose intended, and their value
be justly impaired.
It is unnecessary, therefore, to dwell on the means taken by Her
Majesty's government to remove all reasonable grounds of objection to
the exercise of the right of search, and on the care with which the
instructions recently delivered to the officers employed in this service
have been prepared.
The mere fact, officially declared by M. Guizot, that the government,
the Legislature and the people of France earnestly demand a revision of
these engagements, while they profess at the same time an undiminished
desire to attain the objects for which they were contracted, would
afford to Her Majesty's government a sufficent reason for agreeing to
the proposed enquiry.
But in assenting to the suggestion of M. Guizot, your Excellency
cannot too strongly impress upon his mind how much will depend upon the
character of the persons who may be selected as commissioners, in order
to inspire the necessary degree of confidence, and to ensure any useful
result.
It appears to Her Majesty's government to be indispensable that the
commission should be composed of individuals of high station and of
enlightened views, men perfectly independent and well known for their
attachment to the great cause of freedom and humanity.
It must clearly be made known that the object of the commission is not
to get rid of the treaties, but to ascertain the possibility of adopting
measures by which they may advantageously be replaced. It appears
essential also that, whatever substitute may be proposed, if any be
found, should be considered in the first instance only as an experiment,
by which the operation of the treaties in this respect would necessarily
be suspended until its success or failure had been manifest.
To a commission thus constituted and thus instructed, Her Majesty's
government could not only entertain no objection, but would be disposed,
in common with all who sincerely desire the early and complete abolition
of this detestable traffick, to look with hope and satisfaction.