Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-11-12
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS RECOGNISED.

A late number of the London Times contains
another of the able articles which, under the sig
nature of " Historicus," (known to be from an
eminent barrister of London,) have so justly at
tracted general attention in England and this
country for the learning and candor with which
they define the neutral obligations of the British
Government and people towards the United States
during the war now raging. The present inquiry
of the writer is directed to the question whether
the British Government has sufficient evidence t.
Justify the seizure of the rams believed to be de
sigued for the service Of the insurgents. After
giving the British law on the subject, showing that
any person who shall attempt and assist or be con-
oernei in the equipping furnishing fitting out, or
armiug of any ship or vessel with the intent that
such ship shall be employed in the service of any
foreign State or of any persons assuming to exer-
else any powers of government, to commit hostlil-
ties against a Power with which England may be
at peace, shall be guilty Of misd smeanor ne pro-
ceeds to show from intercepted correspondence, ad-
dressed by the Richmond authorities to their
agents in Eogland, and which, it appears, was
communicated to the British Government, that as
early as October of last year the insurgent au-
thorities had by their own admission contracted
with some person in England for placing upon the
sea, in their service, Ga peculiar class of ships
never before constructed" that British builders
were specially named in this correspondence as
having offered to construct vessels for the Rich
mond authorities; and that subsequently MIR. NAL
Tory, the insurgent Naval Secretary, wrote to Mr..
Mason then in England, that Mr. Sanders has,
as you are a,rare contracted for the construction
of six iron clad steamers combining the capacities
of freighti2g and fighting ships in manner
which will enable them to force the blockade
of our ports" and, in earnest Of the negotiations
already instituted under this head, Mr.. Mallory
promised to secure an appropriation from Con-
gress" to meet these contracts.
9 Our readers will remember that this intercepted
correspondence was published at length in our
columns and We are able to authenticate, from our
own observation, the genulneness OF the papers to
which Historicus' refers These facts " His
toricus" regards a, conclusive. They show, he
saws that special mission has been established
and special fund provided for the purpose of
"ftting cut, equipping and aiming vessels in this
country without her Majestys license, for warlike
operations against the dominons, ships, and goods
of foreign State This is the express object for
which the vote of the Confederate Congress was
passed, to which the instructions of Mr. Mallory,
the Confederate Secretary of the Navy, are d.
rected for which the authority Of Mr. MommingcT,
the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, was
readily obtained, and in furtheranco of which
Capt Sinclair and Mr.. Sanders Gas We lee BY the
same correspondence) have actually Ian 4ed on Bri-
fish shores off the object (says the writer which
the Confederate Government are thus erdea7orrg
to accom- plish is not precisely that which It Vas
the express intention of the foreign enlistment
act to prohibit, should like to bear from any
lawyer or statesman of what other view thst enact
mept is susceptible"
But whatever view may be taken Of tho question
as one Of municipal law arising under the British
statutes in question, it is plain thst, considered
aqueston of intern tional obligation the duty of
the British Government to prevent the escape Of
these vessels, designed they to depredate on
our commerce, admits of no doubt, and we record
with satisfaction the fact that the present Ministry
has shown determination to do its full duty in
the premises.