The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-01 00:00:00

within sixty days

Market" avticle. whirl] night- to he' carefully got up
scommunity, we read of the " absurd rottmurs at
Washinzton." of there "not being. the least foundation
for any Of them," and Of the " ppnecc-ssArsr excitement"
afloat

Need we sly more ? Wha,, is about to happen
cannot, with any certainty, he predicted. We on'y
know that some of the small statesmen at Washington
have great faith in the effect of small coups d'etat.
But whilst onscrupulous''politicians and disreputable
presses are endeavouring to goad the apathetic pu'dic
into a state of international ill-feeling, it may be well to
state our conviction that no reasonable grounds for
apprehending a war need be entertained. It happens,
fortunately, that the questions at issue do not touch
popular sympathies ; whilst the generally expressed
horror, lest clumsy or intriguing men in office should fail
to settle them amicably, does credit to the good sense of
the people of both countries. . •

It has been said in quarters entitled to respect, but
said, we think, erroneously, that the case of Mr. Cramp
ton is a very grave one, because our Government was
willing in the first instance to make the ansende, but has
subsequently jostified its course—thus taking up, as it
were, two positions, irreconcilable one with the other.
The facts are mis•stated. When complaint was made.
to Lord Clarend°n that it was a violation of the
American Neutrality Laws, to put up a fingerpost here,
pointing out the route to the Crimea via Halifax, his
Lordship did not pause to argue the point. " Very well,
gentlemen," said he practically, " I won't argue with
you, but I'll stop the whole proceeding." That he did
so, is perfectly well known, but that he did it is no proof
whatever that he admitted the validity of the charge.
At a later period, came the prosecutions, rendered mem-
orable by the indecent display of consequential wrath on
the part of the U. S. Attorney. general. We need not
follow their history ; but we assert the conviction of our
Foreign Offlee, that in what was done by Mr. Crampton
and others, there was no violation whatever of Inter-
national law, and its intention that there should be none
of the particular laws pertaining to the States. Hold-
ing its own position firmly on the international view of
the dispute, it can hold none, or at least cannot act upon
the municipal. If, therefore, the President were to dis-
miss the British Minister for a breach of international
law, which our government refus .I,d to recognise as such,
the offence and the insult might be felt. As it is—that
is to say, being based upon a local interpretation of local
law—we cannot rationally resent the expected course of
action,however much we may regret its occurrence, and
however weak the grounds for it may appear to our
judgment. In short, if the anticipated dismissal take
place, we cannot believe that it will be followed by a
corresponding step, on the other side the Atlantic, in
reference to Mr. Buchanan.

The Central American dispute is, to our mind, a far
moruembarrassing and difficult question ; but as we are
sorely pressed for time, and the subject touched upon is
the more engrossing one at the moment, we postpone its
consideration for the present. Besides, in its aspects, it
varies day by day. Here is Colonel French, claiming to
be the Minister representing Nicaragua, actually indicted
by the grand jury, for fitting out an expedition against
that Republic. His counsel has pleaded hard,for the
immediate trial of his client by the U. S. Court, but the
district attorney, steeped to the eyes in filibustering
pro.:ecutions, is not to be driven into a faster pace than
suits him.

"insults to our flag "—a slang term now used on
every occasion that pertains to the ships or seamen of
this country—continue to be reported from time to time.
One of recent occurrence, at Hong Kong, is nirratecl
elsewhere, and the account of it will, we believe, only
to the regret that the American Consul was not
better informed as to his duties and privileges. Another,
that might liavac had a serious i sue, took place several
weeks ago at Antigua and may perhaps give rise to
dicencsion hereafter. We have hitherto innitted men-

lion of it, because we hoped it would blow over. and
presumed tha', as usual, there was gross exagr-eration
in the pub'i,hed statements_ It seems that the Loango,
a brig belonging to Philadelphia, came into' English
irdAh or, Antigua. 'Flier., it came to the knowledge of
the local authorities that. the cook on board was a sl ire
By our law, we need scantly say, laryTir

z on Birit►sh
soil, or enterinz into a British port is held ipso
.facto to
Pre, pro-
le cook,

on boar

he vesse

carried

who claimed protection from them. On the other hand,
it is assPrted that the man was free, and that he availed
himself of this opportunity to descrt. Whatever the
exa .t truth, the case was of course herableft in print, as
involving the abduction of a seaman, and Capt. Fairfax,
of the U.S. corvette Cyane, being at St. Thomas. under-
took to play the deliverer and the champion. Perhaps
he was envious of the fame of his predecessor, Captain
Hollins, of Grey-Town notoriety, or thought that in
bearding a British Colonial government he could eclipse
Captain Ingraham, of Martin Koszta fame. At any
rate, he sailed away to English Harbour, Antigua ;
found lying there H. M. steam sloop Medea, with which
he refused to exchange salutes ; had an interview with
Governor Hamilton, but failed to persuade his Excel-
lency that Americans in English ports were above and
beyond English law ; and finally, sailed sulkily away.
Seven] accounts of the affair are in print; but it may
fairly be presumed that the Governor was better versed
in his duty, and better posted as to the merits of the
dispute, than the choleric and disappointed Captain.
We speak of hiin in these terms, because the ridiculous
sense of an " insult to our flag" seems to have influenced
him throughout. Nothing could be in worse taste than
his declining to take part in the usual naval courtesies,
even after he had been compelled to "refer the matter
to his government." President Pierce invites Mr.
Crampton to his table, whilst the latter has, a sentence
of dismissal hanging over him. Wei, resume the officious
captain will be rebuked by the Naval Department.