Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-15
" Q re E S TER
British ''Neutrality Building HrOn-Clad
GunbOats for the Rebels.

That the plratical steamer Alabama formerly
the '290") had taken and burned four AmeE-
can whaling vessels and schooner, name I'M
known. The Alabama is commanded by
Capt. Semmes, formerly of the Sumter. 1t is
also reported, on no better authority, howev-
er, than that of the Liverpool Post and I'M
traceable rumOrs, that several other vessels
are building in England for the rebels, includ
ing an iron ram, nearly completed, in the river
Mersey. If these operations are carried on as
openly as the Post asserts, it is somewhat re-
markable that no other paper has the news
New York Commercial AdrertiSer, oct. 10.
The Commercial Advertiser goes on to say
that if the business of building vessels for the
rebels were carried on so extensively and
openly in Great Britain, as is represented, the
American minister, consuls, and other agents
of the government in that country, would not
permit the government of Great Britain to be
ignorant of the fact. There is, however, good
reason for believing that the statements of the
Liverpool Post are strictly true, and that Mr..
Adams has called the attention of the British
government to the matter. We have the fol-
lowing statement of facts from a source that
is entirely reliable. We take it from a letter
received here dated in Great Britain on the
24th of August, some six or seven weeks
ago.
IA few weeks since it was reported that a
gunboat was being built by Laird & Co., for
the rebel government. As soon as we were
satisfied of the fact, minister Adams brought
the matter to the notice of the British govern
ment. A committee was formed by that gov
ont IN tf, 7 ,rh. tha seal
was being built, to make inquiries. The COM
mittee reported that a gunboat was being built
but that Messrs. Laird & Co. refused to tell
for whom she was being built. Therefore the
British government refused to interfere.
All this time it was known that Bullock,
an officer OF the rebels, was experimenting
the building of her. Very soon after, she left
and never returned to Liverpool. She has
gone to some untrequented place to get her
guns put in position"
The gunboat here mentioned, was I'M
doubtedly the notorious 1870" The impu-
nifty with which this vessel was built
launched, and fitted for sea, under the super
intendence of a rebel officer, very striking
ly illustrates the neutrality" of Great Brit
ain. The same letter says:
Every hour of the day is devoted to SLAM
dering and insulting the north; and now the
people and the press are bold enough even
to speak Of the number and strength of the
iron clad vessels that are being built for the
rebels, and brag of the future victories that
the rebels are to gain with them.'
Among those who direct public opinion and
control the government, in that country, there
is no friendship for us. They desire to see
the American republic destroyed, and we may
rely upon it as an assured fact that they will
do all they dare, to make the secession con-
spiracy successful. 1t is a breach of faith
that calls for the strongest rcmonstrance, for
the British government to allow such things
to be done, and we can not doubt that our
government has properly expressed its sense
of the outrage. That gunboat 1920" is now
hunting down and destroying American YES
sells on the ocean. According to private adj
vices received in New Bedford, she has cap
tured and destroyed nine whaling ships and a
schooner, off the Western Islands. Several
but she is likely to destroy many other peace
tul vessels before she is captured She car
ries l00-pounder Blakely rifed cannon for.
ward, a smooth-bore 63-pounder aft, and two
32-pounders on each side.
While the rebels are allowed to have war
vessels built on the Mersey, under the direc-
ton of their own officers, our men of-war that
visit British waters, are not allowed the small
est favor. We have the following facts stated
IN private letter from the most reliable
source. When the United States gunboat
Iuscarora was in the port of Dublin, she
lacked coal, and supply was ordered by COM
mander Craven. As soon as the coal lighter
came alongide the Tuscarora, a revenue officer
appeared and informed her commander that
he could not be allowed to take the coal on
board, as it was contrary to the proclamation
of the government. As the proclamation ad-
mits the right by special order, application
for such an order was made to Earl Russell,
and refused. We may add that Yankee inge-
nuity afterwards contriyed to get coal, in de-
tiance of Earl Russell and British hostility.
1t is not surprising that SO many patriotic
persons in the United States are quite ready
TO say with Daniel S. Dickinson, -"when the
rebellion shall be thoroughly subdued and
crushed, beyond all hope of resurrection, l
hope to see the day when Abraham Lincoln,
or some other who stands up as he does,
shall take this Wanting and insolent John
Bull by the nose and twist it twice round, as a
reward for the insults extended to us in the
spirit of menace and cowardice, when we were
in a death struggle for national existence"
GEN. McCLELLAN.-A special dispatch to
the Philadelphia Press, dated Washington,
October 10th, says "The intimate friends of
Gen. Mcclellan in this city, say that he
has become convinced of the folly of en-
deayoring to conciliate the pro-slavery feel
ing OF certain bitter party politicians in our
loyal states, and that he has never, since the
war commenced, entertained any other SEN
nment than that of an avowed intention of
crushing the rebellion at all hazards, accord
ing TO the rules Of civilized warfare, and
those suggested by the statesmen in the civil
government. Prominent republicans here
insist that he heartily indorses the presidents
policy Of emancipation as most salutary