The New York herald., 1862-02-12

lOVAs
of the war. This is one of the misfortunes of
war. 1t affects neutral nations as well as belli-
gerents. But there il no remedy, unless by an
interference with the established rights of bel
ligerents
ternational law, attempt such an interference? |?
If they do, it will be the preparation of the
greatest international crime recorded in his
tory. The partition of Poland was as nothing
compared with it. But we are different peo-
pie from the Poles, and will not submit to such
an outrage. Let the European conspirators
beware.
We have no doubt that the French Emperor
will agitate the American question in the Cham
bers, and that it will be agitated in the British
Parliament, till public opinion is manufac-
tured, under the influence of which a crusade
will be organized against American freedom.
Some OF the Southern journals are beginning
to realize the hollow-hearted treachery of
their English allies, who fomented and
encouraged the rebellion. They are now
Disguised, when it is almost too late, with the
course Of tho leading organ of British opinion,
which places the two great representatives Of
the Southern confederacy in Europe ON level
with pair of negroes. This is foretaste of
what the Southern eOnfederacy may expect
from British alliance, and an indication of the
price that must be paid for assistance against
their Northern brothers to the European con-
spirators against their liberties and instit,l-
tions. Without delay the Southern plant
ers ought to effect q counter-revolution
at the South, and overthrow Jefferson Davis
and his junta. They are between two fires.
If they hold out, in all human probabili-
ty, before ninety days they will be compelled
to accept the conditions of their Northern con-
querors. Ifforeign aid should protract the war,
what will be the result? They will have to ac-
cept protectorate of European Powers ayow-
edly hostile to their institutions, and the doom
of Mexico awaits them. There is only one sure
way of escape from the dilemma, and that is sub
mission to the laws Of the Union, which will pro-
tect them in all their rights guaranteed by the
constitution. Thus the Monroe doctrine will be
maintained, American independence will be
secured, and European Intervention will be ex-
cluded from this continent by the majestic
movement of divided nation reuniting for
tho common safety. The patriotic courSe of
Mexico ought to be lesson to the South Soon
as the hostile foot of the stranger pressed their
soil the Mexicans forgot their feuds and united
against the common foe. Sagacious British
statesmen foresee that this would probably be
the result of their Intervention in the United
States, and their hope is that if the civil war is
left to itself little longer it may work out
permanent division of the great republic. Let
the Southern men, therefore, who have stake
in the country. disappoint the expectations of
the British anti-slavery aristocraey who are
gloating over our national dssensions, and hope
by our fall to regain for Old England the place
it has lost in the scale Of maritime nations.
Contract Frauds and the Mercedita Case.
Every day we have some new developement
in regard to the frauds upon the government in
contract Jobs, and each of these Developments
surpasses in meanness and criminality its worst
predecessor. The story Of the case Of the
steamship Mercedita is the most reccr. md the
worst exposure.
It appears from the published correspondence
that in June, 1861 James G. Jewett x Co., the
owners of the Mercedta. sent q letter to the
Secretary of the Navy describing their vessel,
and Offering to sell or charter her to the govern.
ment at price to be fixed by the Navy De-
partment itself. The same offer was made by
letter directly to the President Of the United
States, and was, of course, referred by him to
the Secretary of the Navy The Secretary Of
the Navy, by letter, declined to purchase the
vessel, as she was unsuited for an armed ship.
Now, before this first offer Of Messrs Jewett &
Co., man named Burrill, representing himself
as a government agent, or as one having in
fuence with the government, had offered to
sell the Mercedita to the government for her
owners but the offer had been very
properly refused, as the transaction savored of
corruption and percentage. After the refusal
of the Secretary of tho Navy to purchase or
charter the steamer Burrill renewed his offer.
He said that he had just returned from WASH
ington, and could sell this rejected vessel to the
very department which had rejected it. He re-
offered to pay 100000 government money for
the Mercedita, provided her owners would pay
him $4,000 to bribe government officials, in ad-
dition to his own brokerage. More patriotic
than shrewd, the owners replied that the ves-
sci should rot first. After few hours Burrill
again came and said that he had heard from
Washington, and would pay the 100000 with
out any conditions This offer was accepted.
A list of alterations required was then pre-
sented by Burrill, and the alterations were
made. The next month another list of altera-
tions, costing $4,000 more, was presented and
the owners had now no choice but to go ahead
or lose all their past outlay. In September the
ship was turned over to Burrill as the agent of
the government A few days after came re-
QUESTION from the Secretary of the Navy to pay
Burrill 100000 for the ship, although his