Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-22
BRITISH WEST INDIA SQUADRON.

We apprehend, from all that We have read,
that the object Of the London Times, BY its
startling articles, was, BY a vigorous attack on
public attention, TO engage the general mind
in consideration OF the objects mentioned BIZ II.
and thus create 50 complete a diversion Of
watchFulness to the wrong point, that England
may be able 10 accomplish her purpose, what
ever il be, before that purpose be suspected.
The conduct Of Great Britain IN its effort
10 gather soldiers BY illegal recruiting in this
country was characterized by all the meanness
Of smuggling and the more the details are
brought 10 light, the more exceptienable does
her conduct appear. Her whole transactions
in this recruiting business we're carried on pre-
cisely IN the manner IL which a confederacy
OF burglars would carry on their conspiracies
against unsuspecting people. The sinuosities
and pitiful resorts Of her officials coming to
light we're likely to expose them to the whole
world in anything but an enviable position.
Not only has the English Government Off.
cially been plotting against our neutrality, but
it.has also in our midst a secret police upon
our own people, and without even seeking to
obtain reasonable evidence, a chief officer Of
the British Government accredited to this
country, upon oath, assails one Of the most
respectable firms Of the country, charging upon
it dishonorable and Illegal conduct. A private
individual uttering such a SANDER would be
held to heavy legal responsibility. All of these
matters the press of Europe had in full view
for comment. To avoid these from
all quarters, the Times seeks by a violent con.
cussion to converge upon the subjects con-
tanned in its editorials the common attention Of
the world, and thus let pass the opportunity or
occasion for structures on the course Of the con-
duct Of England. The object Of the Times
may be this, or it may be something else. 1t is
certainly a tub thrown to the whale, whatever
may be its purpose.
IF the following extract, from a Washington
correspondent of the New York Daily Times,
states correctly the facts alleged, it would Of
itself account for the noise and confusion
caused BY the London Times, that in the uproar
il raises the new and aggravated cause Of Of
fence may escape due notice.
We will place reliance on our Government
in vindicatiug its outraged dignity in this mat
ter, and that, too, most promptly.
If it should be found that the English Gov
eminent has proved false to its statement:
and promises, We shall expect our Government
10 make the proper exposure. But the offence
is one Of such turpitude, that it should be made
very clear before we give our crcdence to al
act SO unworthy Of the great English nation.
1t is due to ourselves and to the world L
have the fact made clear as to the extent 0
the violation Of our national sovereignty By th'
orders, dictation, or conniyance Of the British
Government or British Off in this country
"Great Britain stiII Recruiting.
but again, although in June last the Bri
tish Government promised to desist from thei
e~nlistmeuis, and Lord Palmerston declared
that they had desisted, one Wagner has sine,
been coHricted ia Nctc York Of recruiting foj
tie British army on the Sd II August last
long after the date Of the satisfaction which
the British apologists hold was rendered t
Mr.. Marcy. And to show that the British
Government has proceeded regardless Of th,
rights and sovereignty Of neutral nations, il
this foreign enlistment scheme, ] assert-wha
con be proven if disputed-that she is to thi
day disturbing all Of Germany BY her enlist
ments against the will ofthe Government, anC
despite its efforts to stop it. And the better e
accomplish this object, she keeps men-ofwal
transports lowering at the mouths Of the Wesel
and the Elbe, smuggling of the recruits thus
obtained day by day. win any one dare tc
say that she is right in this, in face Of the nu
merous authorities, English and otherwise, who
declare the recruiting Of soldiers in neutral ter
ritory to be v~iolative Of national Law, and Justly
punishable with death n