The abolition of the slave trade has been accomplished by gradual and extremely slow steps, and, at every step, difficulties arose, that appeared to arrest a farther progress. No evil, so extremely inveterate, so deep seated in the habits of an ignorant and barbarous people, acquainted, for nearly four centuries, with scarcely any other species of traffic, and maintaining no other intercourse with Europe and America, than by offering to the degraded and infamous part of their population, the disastrous allurements of a great and rapid profit, can be subdued, but by a most resolute and unwearied perseverance and the continued and renewed application of fresh and active remedies. If the United States, as a nation, were not literally the first to purify their flag from this abominable pollution, they are entitled to the full applause of an act, perhaps not so honourable, but in every way far more efficient. They began by declaring the trade piracy on board their own vessels,--following their example and at their suggestion, the British parliament have subjected the trade to similar penalties. We consider, therefore, the axe to be laid at the root of this evil, and that the proper application of a naval force, assisted by the establishment of European settlements along the coast, will gradually and finally extirpate it. How much such a process will be advantageous to British commerce, whose colonies are already numerous in that quarter, is not a consideration, that ought, for a moment, to retard the progress of the system. We can look on the colonies, already founded there, but as the first planting of the seeds of civilization, which, in process of time, will creep along the whole African shore, both on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and restore some portion, at least, of a continent, so celebrated in antiquity, to regular industryand established government. In a border of civilized states will consist an effectual barrier against, both the slave trader and the Barbary corsair.

We have only to remark, that in the ratification of the abolition slave trade convention in the senate, we have not been able to perceive the slightest indications of local influ

ence.

The opinions of the members do not appear to have

been dictated by a regard to the particular description of population, found in the respective States, unless, indeed, a slight preponderance of votes of senators, coming from parts of the country, where slave labour is not known, may be discerned in the minority; a circumstance to be attributed, perhaps, to the jealousy, that the more commercial portion of the community naturally feel on the subject of the right of search. The convention was ratified by the following vote-yeas 29--noes 13,-a considerable proportion of members from slave holding States voting in the majority.

CHAPTER X.

RELATIONS WITH THE NETHERLANDS.

Holland fell in '94-Changes in government-Great trade with this country-King Louis well disposed-Compelled to abdicate-Confiscation of American property-Since 1815 negotiations of slight importance—Attempt to renew treaty of 1782—Not successful— Countervailing duties-Trade of Netherlands confined to export of foreign articles-Principle of reciprocity established by corresponding laws-Everett, chargé—Netherlands give 10 per cent. bounty to their ships-U. States remonstrate-Difficulty removed-Netherlands' colonial principle very severe-Hughes, chargé-Huygens minister--Quabeck and Heeckeren, chargés-Commercial treaty with Hamburgh, Bremen and Lubeck.

THE treaty, made in 1782, having no limitation, continued in force, till the creation of the kingdom of the Netherlands and the consolidation of the Dutch and Belgic provinces in 1814 and '15.* Separate from the great and lucra

* In 1792, William Short of Virginia was appointed minister resident to the Hague. This appointment was notified to him in January of that year by Mr. Jefferson in the following terms:

"I have the pleasure to inform you that the President of the United States has appointed you minister resident for the United States at the Hague, which was approved by the Senate on the 16th instant. This new mark of the President's confidence will be more pleasing to you, as it imports an approbation of your former conduct, whereon be pleased to accept my congratulations."

In May 1794, John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts was appointed minister, who was succeeded in March 1797 by William Vans Murray of Maryland the last minister to the Netherlands, till the renewal of intercourse by the appointment of William Eustis of Massachusetts, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, in December 1814. The executive, in June 1801, suspended the legations at the

tive trade carried on with the Dutch East and West Indies, and colonies on the American continent, this country has had from 1794 (with the exception of '99, when Holland was invaded by an English and Russian army, and during nearly the whole year her ports declared to be in vigorous blockade) a vast direct commerce till 1808 and 9. But the diplomatic relations, subject to uncommon vicissitudes, have been interrupted the greater part of the time. Holland fell the same year with Austrian Flanders, and the country on the left bank of the Rhine. This was the important result of the brilliant campaign of '94. From that period we trace the original Dutch confederacy through the successive changes of a national assembly, a Batavian republic, an aristocratic legislature, an elective monarchy, an hereditary monarchy, a department in 1810 of the imperial government, and lastly, to its union in 1814 and 15, with Belgium. The United States have not followed step by step these revolutions in its government; but a friendly intercourse has always been maintained, and till the abdication of Louis in July 1810, many openings were found for trade, notwithstanding the severity, with which the continental system was attempted to be enforced. The special application of that system to Holland, however in 1809 and the following years, subsequently gave rise to the same controversy on the subject of illegal seizures, the government has had with Spain and Naples. American property to a great amount was unjustly seized; and ultimately confiscated. That, which was not liable to the operation of the Berlin and Milan decrees, was sequestrated under the 10th article of the treaty of Paris of March 1810.* It is in these words, and is as unprincipled an act as can be conceived. "Every description of merchandise that has arrived in the ports of Holland in American vessels since the 1st January

Hague and at Lisbon. M. Van Polaner succeeded M. Van Berckel as minister resident, after the appointment of Mr. Adams. M. Polaner was accredited in 1796 from Holland, which, at that time, went under the name of the "Batavian Republic."

* Martens, vol. xii. p. 307.

1809, or which shall hereafter so arrive, shall be put under sequestration, and shall belong to France, to be disposed of according to circumstances and the political relations of that country with the United States." This treaty, the Dutch admiral Verhuel was obliged to sign with M. de Champagny. It was the preliminary step to the abdication of Louis, an event, indeed, that followed a few months after, but the king of Holland, in consenting to the sacrifices required by this. instrument, doubtless hoped to preserve the independence of a people to whom he was evidently attached, and over whom, much against his inclination, he had been appointed to reign. Louis in his own hand made observations on the different provisions of this treaty. They have been preserved, and have since been published in a manner, that leaves no doubt of their authenticity. In regard to the 10th article just quoted, he remarks, "I expect from the justice of the Emperor that he will express his intentions in a different way, as it respects this property. I think it should be treated as property under similar circumstances has been in Spain and Naples, and that the same date should be assigned for the application of the article."* This arrangement would have placed the property in depôt subject to future examination and decision. It has, at least, the semblance of fairness. The proposition was free from the licentious, unsparing injustice of the original article. The independence and upright intentions of Louis in this affair deserve to be mentioned with applause, a compliment equally due to his undeviating good treatment of American commerce. But, in reality, we believe this would have been but a milder and less expeditious mode of transferring this American. property to the imperial treasury. It amounts to little more than changing the phrase. The history of the claims of this country on the Dutch government does not differ in principle from that on Spain or Naples.

* In a letter of December 1809, Napoleon says to Louis, "You have received in the ports of Holland every American vessel, rejected from my harbours, that presented itself to you." Documents sur la Hollande, vol. iii.