Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-10


Supplying the Enemy.-one Of the most Gu
rions circumstances in the relations of Great
britain towards Russia is, thai, although the two
nations are at open war, and burn or confscae
each others property wherever they find IT, on
iahd-or sea, the BRUSH governnentlis, neverIhe-
less, considerable debtor 10 that of Russia, and
continues punctualy TO pay the inst aments 10 the
emperor whenever they become due. The same
government issues proclamation warning all lis
SUBJECTS that any British subject furnishing or
ioahing money 10 the Emperor Of Russia would
De gulity OF treasoni and punishable as traitor!
This debt grew out of the wars OF the French
revolution. When the Emperor Napoleon took
possession of Holland, and made il a depe ndant
Kingdom for his brother Louis England seized The
Dutch colonies the Cape of Good Hope in Africa,
and the colonies in the West Indies to keep them
from the French. Ga the fall of Napoleon, and
the attempt at Vienna TO restore 10 their several
owners the territories of which they had been
despoiled, Holland reclaimed these colonies and
England, desiring TO retain them, purchased them
ior the sum OF six millions sterling. But in the
adjustment OF the cost of the allied wars against
Napoleon, Holland be,ame chargeable with about
to,O0O,OO0 sterling, and the allied powers waived
their proportion OF The debt in favor Of Russia to
obtain her assent TO the treaties of Vienna. In
The purchase of The Dutch colonies by England,
L3,0O0,OOO Of the purchase money was 10 be APP
Piled 10 the arrangement OF the affairs Of Belgium,
as part OF the monarchy Of the Netherlands and
to indemnify Russia for her expenses in defending
Belgium against France. This three millions was
appropriated 10 the use OF Russia and were raised
by Dutch loan, guaranteed by England, who
agreed TO pay II in one hundred annual install
ments, terminating in 1915. The sum OF IA, no.
600 and upwards, has already been paid for prin-
cpal and interest, in the thirty-nine years during
which the engagement has been in force and by
the end Of the term f39SS 900 more will have been
paid
Since the declaration of war in March last some
portion of the English press has insisted that it is
the right and duty of government TO suspend these
payments in time Of war and, on the lst of Au-
gust, motion TO that effect was brought forward
| in the House of Commons, by Lord Dudley Stuart,
radical member. He supported his motion by
| an ingenious and elaborate speech. He not only
commended that this was justified by the usaees
aud rights of belligerents, but defended on the
ground that the treaties of Vienna-the preserva-
ton of which was the consideration for the as
sgnment of this money 10 Russia-had been
broken by her in many essential points, and their
| obligation was therefore discharged. The govern
ment opposed the notion on broad ground of pub
lie faith, contending that by the modern law among
civilized nations the breaking out Of war does not
discharge or interfere with debts due 10 the enemy
To such an extent had this doctrine been prac-
ticed in England, according TO the statement of
Sir William Moesworth in this debate, that dur
ing all the wars with France, Napoleon held con-
siderable sums OF money in the British funds, and
regularly received his dividends. The argument
was not, however, rested on this point, but gov
eminent undertook to assert that the particular
treaties by which this debt was created have moi
been violated by Russia, and they protested
against going back TO the ''aneient practices of
barbarsm in war.
The House agreed with this view SO completely
that, on a division, Their. were only five votes
given for the suspension of the payments-a pro-
position which was, on the debate, described by
the name OF "repudiation."-N. q. Picayune.