Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-11
Tive Days Later from Europe.
ARRIVAL OF THE AFRICA.
Az AMERICAN CRUISER IN SEARCH OF BRITISH
VAL STEINER.

AK ANERIoAN CRUISER IN SEARCH OF BRITISH
NAIL STEAMER.
The Edinburgh ScotsMdn has the following:
ga strange yet true story-showing how near
this country has been, and perhaps is, to q rup-
ture with the United States, or, at least, how
very well disposed our American friends are to
bring about such an event-reaohes us from
sources TO be thoroughly relied on. The week
before last our Government received information
that United States war steamer (the James
Adger) had brought up 10 Southampton water,
ostensibly for the purpose Of refling, but under
circumstances wRrranting the suspicion that
she had some other object in view.
Subsequently various circumstances, in.
cluding the conversation of her crew, who had
come ashore, led to the discovery Of the fact
that her real object was the seizure Of the West
India mail steamer then due. The United
States cruiser had been dispatched in pursuit
Of the Nashville, the vessel conveying the Con-
fedeTate delegates TO this country, which had
eluded the blockade. The delegates succeeded
in reaching Cuba, and there got themselves
conveyed on board one of the British mail
steamers. Their movements became known to
the commander of the pursuing vessel, who
took the remarkable step of running straight
over to the British coast, with the intention Of
waylayipg the mail steamer, and making
capture Of her az O peutrsl vessel, carrying, ia
the delegates and their credentials, 'contra5 and
of war;
"Upon the assumption of these being the
facts--an aseump ption, IL will easily be believed,
not made and proceeded on without inquiry
and consideration-the British war steamer
Pkaion was ordered to watch the American,
and to protect against her any vessel bearing
the British flag. AS it happened, the Ameri-
can Captain, perhaps attracted by hospitalitiei
after a stormy voyage, remained in port fol
some days, and then, putting to sea, was met
| by a severe gale on the south coast, which
forced him to anchor at Calsbott. The same
cause that stopped his cruise expedited the voy-
| age of the mail steamer, which arrived two
| days before her time, and passed into her por
| unconscious of her danger. Communication
| then took place between our government anC
| the American Minister, in which the latter dis
claimed any such intentions as that imputed tt
the proceedings of the United States steamer
Or, rather, he disclaimed any knowledge of tn
| matter.
"At the same time it was sscertained to b
the opinion Of the law officers Of the Crow
that, sccordirg to the Interpretation of the Law
as laid down in former decisions, the relation
Of Britain to the American belligerents are
perhaps, such that there might have been fai
legal grounds for the American cruiser seizD
the mail steamer as a prize, even in Brttis
waters, if it could have been shown that sb
|
of enemies of the United States, in the shape Q
the delegates and their dispatches. The Unite
States steamer has now departed, but is SUI
posed to be cruising off the Irish coast for pal
poses similar to those which brought her
Southampton.
"It csn not he necessary TO point out ii
wanton offepsiveness and danger Of the courF
understood to have been adopted in this an
perhaps similar cages by the United Stat
Government. That Government is entitled
do all in its power to prevent egress or ingre
at its own ports and the ports of the Contede
ates; but to leave these not half guarded, an
come across to British waters on rowing cou
mission to seize British mail steamer whiC
bad taken Oh board at British port two Amer
can passengers and their portmanteaus, is a
act easy to be understood and not easy to
endured. It indicates desire not so much
prevent the movement of American rebels {
to insult and provoke the Government au
people of this country"