The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-11-18
THE NEW YORK SUN
MONDAY MORNING, NOV. 10, 1861.


The arrest o the Rebel Comm ssioners, 81
mil and MAsoS, which intelligence reached
the city on Saturday, cccasioned the most pro
found hlarity among our citizens, mingled with
much discussion rs to the nature Of their cap
surc. The many discussions, however when
continued to arise upon the oil absorbing top,
were conducted with more good humoi ana .o'-
liiy than have been any Of our national luo'-
lions fcr long period. And this might wen Dc
The case, for while there appeared just sufficient
reason to suppose that taking the rebels from
under the nav Of the British Lion might iniiiatc
dif6culties, the fact that the deed was done, and
Handsomely done, and that We had 'hc traitors
safe. gave our people so much s'isiarnon
that il was felt that we coull afford
If need I've, to lie very humble IN the III
sure about the style Of doin; IT,. WrNss "''
voted 10 he the hero Of the day, for doinf on
his own account very sensible TIM IN ,ey
sensible way, and the public irlt d'te mined
that hi. account should ever stinl COOL III con-
sequence. .,,
But no humility or apology on our part Will
L. wanted. MOI only the Commissioners, but
fhe weasel itself. were ri,hfully su'soc: to s'i1-
ure. The British Government has is'ui it,
FORMAL proclamation forbidlns ~ subjects from
,ivinr AID in anv wise to either Of thc belliscr-
ent powers from transporting munitions oi war
or articles contrahand of war; AMI even from
carrvirr dispatches for either Of the parties to
the present conflict. |, is . generally conccde
fact that ambassadors Of an opposing nation ar
the worst and most dangerous Of the class OF con
traland articles forbidden to I've transported
and. under al the circumstances, 1t is extremely
doubtful whether we shall hear a word Of cX-
postulation on the part Of the Brush govern
ment-
Were this not the case, there j. prcrcdcn
in the same action on the part Of England to
wards this country, which would bar their com
plaint against Ourselves, in this measure. II
in the case OF TrERTN,E BELLAw MCMANrs
who. in the lri,h Rebellion Of 1873, had takci
refuge on the American ship ID. y. Chase
of Boston, whence he wus iorcihly remove,
Ly the British government. That power Ia
also, on all occasions exercised the right O
search and capture with so lit'l' scruplc that
will hardly have the assurance to he over cap
tious on so plain POINT, and upon which tn
- beet authorities on the laws Of nations clearl
decide in our favor.
1hcsc decisions could lie multiplied almos
without limit, but IT il sufficient TO dismiss III
subject with that Of the noted British Adm
rally Judge, PHIL more, WHO d,cllrc':
as to carrying Of military persons in III
employ Of n hclligcrcrt, or h,u, IN any W.
engaged in his transport .oNcr, % VA, BE-,
most solciubly decided hy tie tribunal,
iuterns!iu nal Law, lo'h IN England AMI IN II
United States Of North America, that .hcs' "a
nets of hostility ui. The pa, ut the nrutr
which subject the NcLirl" ~ which the p'rsol
ave conveyed 10 confiscation al The l'nl1 oi Il
bclliccrcnt.'
Aud the further opinion of Chief just,
Kent. who lays down the law a' iullows:
IAN wriicisupnn the law of nltiuns, and II
highe,, au,horiticv, acknowledge the ri ,il,
time Of WAY, as resting upon sound principle
public Jurisprudence, aud upon the M,!i,ut
and practice Of all great maritime powcrS Al
ii upon making the search, the vessel lee lIul
employed in the contrGbrd service, or in ca
rying cncmy's property, or uu"l- or dispatch,
she is liable to lie taken and hIou Int in for a
Indication before prEc-court.
Vatcl, and other French auth,tli's, are
less clear and decisive in sustaining The sal
views.