Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-13
From the n. I. Com. Advertiser
THE NASHVILLE AT SOUTHLAND.

The mental condition of our English neigh
bors, now that they have admitted the rebel
steamer Nashville into the harbor of South
amptOn, reminds one forcibly of the perplex-
Ity of the man who rafficd for an elephant
and had the luck to draw the prize. Both
peopleand government are manifestly at loss
what 10 do with the monster now that thew
have got it. Those newspapers that are in
sympathy with the rebels wo Id fain claim
for the Nashville the same right to repair,
thar WIS conceded to the James Adgsr. of
the United States navy; but there are some
awkward circumstances connected with the
former vessel that make the cases of the two
anything but parallel. The Nashville had
captured and burned merchant vessel. nut
the crew in irons, conveyed them to South
ampton and there landed them. Moreover
she has neither letters Ct marque nor is she
commissioned as national vessel of war bv
the so-called Confederate States government
1t is unde' stood, also, that she claims the
liberty OF hitting out for vessel of war, tax
ing an armament on board, &C., in the mort
OF southampton, which, if granted to her,
YOU'D 90 marked and open violation of the
Queens neutrality proclamation.
Underlying the articles in the Encl;sb
newspapers upon this subject, is evidently a
misglving that the treatment the Nashville
has received is a breach of neutrality on the
part of the English government that cannot
be defended, aud that to accede to her re-
quest to ut ont as a man of war in any port
OF England, would be still further violation
OF the proclamation of the British sovereign.
a Liverpool paper finds an excuse for
captain Pegram s burning the Harvey Birch
IN the TACT that The had no alternative be.
tween destroying her or permitting her to
I 10 loosely or dangerously in the channel"
Inc London Star. however, sp,aks out bold.
ly, remarking; '''N
Inc maritime superiority Of the North ia now
making itself felt. The Nashville will not find
!. 80 easy to re-enter New rleans or sny other
Dosleoerate port as to make her exit thence Tho
Eeoerai Cruisers may be vigilent enough to aveuee
I've oaroarity they failed to prevent. But our
own go. ernraent now has in its hands the means
OF reVoklng It's wicked blunder. Let Can't. Pc.
gram De made to answer for his wanton destruc- !
tlon OF the Harvey Birch. If he can produce |
comm ssion or license from the Confederate States
we must let him 60, snce we have recognized ,ba |
belgerent rights of his emp overs. Bu: If h, has
no better authority for his pirate exploit than the
nag tnat represents rebellion and slavery-a com |
pound most strange and uunatural-let him he !
oeilVered up to the United States Consul TO de- |
lend as he may deed which nothing in law, au- |
'nOfl'y' or usage, can morally justify
we canuot bring ourselves to believe that |
the British government will SO openly VIC. |
ate It's pledged neutrality as to connive a.
ihe Nashyllie's taking prisoners into an Eng
lish port or as to permit her to be eauippad
mere as vessel ct war for an enemy of the
intel States. Ii it does, there is an end tn !
III diplomatic OF friendly intercourse between
ler and the United States.