New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-17

Memorial Of the National War Committee
I'm Favor Of Issuing Letters OF Nsarqnc.

In tuS'Jr OF Issuing HScittr' OF N1hrT"''
The following Memorial of the National War
Committee to Congress has been forwarded to Wssh-
ingtoD, and will be presented by Senator King:
NArIoSAI war CoNnrrEE or rnE CITlEss
y~-YoKk, NRvYoRK, Dec 10 1902
To The Senate and House Of Rsresenta,,re' u the United
States Of .islerfrd. IN Congress dssemtied'
The memorial of ,he National War Committee of
the citizens of New-iork respectfully represents;
That the depreiations upon American property by
AN unlawful cruiser fitted out In British port, have
become SO disgracefuy frequent, and 80 disastrous
TO free commerce the ocean, as TO call Tor The ln-
mediate attention OF Congress. snd the adoption oil
measures for their suppression more eiieetual than
ANY which have yet been Tesored to.
1t would seem hardly credible, If the facts were
not clearly established that n war vessel like the
Alabama. built in the most open manner upon En-
glish ground, equipped aud armed by the and OF In
gllsh merchants, provlsloned and coaled III an I'm
rlsh port, there manned almost wholly by English
subjects should lave been permitted by the Gov
ernmeut OF Great Britain i'll defiance OF earnest and
lust remonstrances and in violation Of proclama-
ton of neutrality to set forth on marauding eX-
petition to prey upon unarmed merchantmen.
Ii there were no higher motive than the most sell
fsh policy affecting the British Government, that
Government should have been the last - get pre-
cedent 70 fatal to British commerce. In the future
wars OF England, her enemies, however insignlil-
cant, have but to do what the Rebels have done III
the present instance and If II should be possible to
IeIeUuQe the American ~ lolloW
| pernicious English example, procure cruisers III
American ports, after the fashion OF the Alabams,
to prey upon English commerce, or drive 1t from
/ the sea.
IL IT, however not necessary for us TO consider or
TO care what England may or may not do; the duty
OF Americans Is To take OF Themselves TO which,
happily, they fully competent, no matter what
other nations may purpose. The means OF redress
must correspond TO the eXigency. IL IT lie once mr.
sumed that "A vessel may be thus fitted out by a
Al md Wit
home port sending pnze there, 1t seems scarcely
possible TO Tx limit TO the mischief size may do,
unless the ocean be covered with pursuing ships
| National vessels OF must prove inadequate 10
protect our commerce against such enemies, though
our Navy were increased 10 tuch an extent NJ 10
outnumber those OF England AID France united.
The 4i7 vessels now in our service have other du'
ties 10 perform and part Of The fleet might pOssb y
search the sea for months without finding tie Ala
bama. The aid best resource appears 10 youI
lmemOriaiBs TO be the commissioning OF private
armed vessels az letters OF marque and ieprsal 10
pursue tie outlaw, and the Offering OF liberal re-
ward for her capture. Such measures would prob
ably prove eccIual against THIS vessel, or ANY SIM
lar one which the cupldIy OF the prejudice OF our
Transatlantic rivals may send ont hereafter 10 cap
tufe American property, and light TIE ocean wi'h
! cur burning siiis.
Whatever else the Government may think FOR itt
honor aud intert to do, either in the way OF
monstrauoe, reprisal or even 10 pus stop 10 The
repetition Of such annoyance II appears reasonably
certain that if the Alabama is TO Be Destroyed some
such measures should be taken az your ncmofhlisis
suggesi.
For the reasons here ret forth, Your memorallsis
Deg leave TO ask for the passage OF an act Of Con-
gross, authorizing the granting Of commissions @
rive armed vessels for tue capture VI tbs Alabama,
and other like cruisers and the offer Of suitable re-
ward for the capture.
AID as Ia duty bound, your memonalsts Viii ever
pray, etc. GLoEoL OfDiAhi ChaiTuan'
X. ID. LATnROP, Secretary.