The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-20

that in no state Of circumstances would that
Power be likely to cast its eyes towards us with
view to entangle us in the meshes Of its diplo-
macy, or in the dangers Of general war.
Such an hypothesis, absurd as it may seem. has
nevertheless some foundation in fact We have
got Russian agents amongst us who are making
strenuous efforts to form certain combinations,
differing entirely in their character from the
alleged motives of their visit which were said to
be nearly similar to those which brought to this
country some years ago, Captain. now Admiral
Won Schontz, Captain Pepin, and ether officers
in the Emperor's service, who were sent over
here to euperintend the construction of the
steam frigate Kamschatka. and likewise to in
spect our railroads and our system Of naval
architecture, of which the Gear is known to be
q warm admirer. The Russian officers who are
here now, came over for the ostensible purpose
of experimenting the construction Of the screw
one of our most eminent shipbuilders, during
recent visit paid by the latter to st. Petersburg
There is reason to believe, however, that that
object forms only one, and that the most unim-
portant part of the mission of these gentlemen;
FOR facts have come to our knowledge which
leave no doub. upon our minds that they are
sent here to effect the organization necessary
for fitting out Russian privateers in our ports.
There were three of those officers at the Aston
House, namely Messrs Grumwald, Ferstine
and Lockoloff, and three at the Clarendon
and other hotels, and they have sub
agents scattered through this and other
cities of the Union busily engaged in endeavor
ng to carry out the objects Of their instruc
tions. That the Gear will obtain as many ships
as he wants here is probable enough. This is
the best market that he could send to to pro-
curesthem for our shipbuilders are famed for
constructing the fastest clipper ships and
steamers in the world, and they will have no
objection to execute his orders as fast as he
sends them in, provided that by doing so they
are guilty of no contravention OF the law of
nations. But the idea that he can pick up
enough Adventures here to man them as priva-
teers is founded on q total ignorance of the
character of our population. The floating
population of our cities is, for the most
part composed of European republicans who
have been exiled from other countries for the
assertion Of principles Numerically opposed to
those upon which the Cars government is
based and many Of whom are only awaiting
the means and the opportunity to proceed to
Turkey to enrol themselves in the armies or
navy Of the Sultan. These persons will, no
doubt listen to the propositions of his agents
and, as a duty to God and humanity, will take
all the money they can get from them; but
they will probably turn it to good acc ount by
proceeding forthwith to Constantinople, and it
would not at all surprise us if this scheme of
the Gear were the means of procuring for the
Sultan some Of his best soldiers.
Up to the present time the exertions of these
Russian agents have not been attended with
much success. The applications which they
have maaA to some Of our merchants to engage
in these enterprises have in every instance
been met with contemptuous refusal. 1t is
not likely that we shall again see citizen OF
this republic coming forward, as in the case Of
the Russian frigate Kensington during the ex-
citement of the Polish revelation, in 1880, to
furnish funds to support the cause of despotsai
1t will be recollected that when that vessel put
back into one Of our ports, after being disabled
and almost wrecked in a storm merchant of
New York supplied the money to fit her
out again. 1t was nearly the cause of his
ruin; and, in fact, to this day he has never re
covered the damage which it did him in pnblic
estimation.
This experiment amongst the maritime por-
ton Of our population lie, it seems, not to be
confined to Russia. The English government
have also agents here, who are instructed to
offer bounties to all the sailors, English, Irish
and Scotch, that can be induced to take service
in her navy. Orders have also been given not
to enrol nations Of any other country, and this
proceeding has been followed up at home by
strict injunctions to the government officers at
the different ports. not to permit English sail
ors to leave the United Kingdom
In proposing to fit out privateers in ouspsEts
Russia may have the Interior design of smbroil-
ing us with the Western Powers; but if such be
her object che will signally fail in it. There is
too much good sense and too strong detesta-
ton of the principles of despotism in this coun-
try for any OF our citizens to be caught in such
Q trap. Even should few Adventures be
tempted by the inducements offered to listen to
these agents, they would be deferred from en-
barking in such venture by wholesome ap-
prehenson of the consequences. In the present
advanced state of civilization the privateering
system would no longer be justified or tolerated.
For men captured in such pursuits the only
measure of justice would be the yardarm
The Nebraska Struggle The Abolitionist
Meeting Saturday.
If, some weeks ago, disinterested observer
Of men and things at Washington had beep
asked from what quarter and on what ground
it was reasonable to expect the first organized
opnoeition tn tho t;op y,ol;cu ~ Ia nj