The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-03-28
rz-We have received copy of the '.Pro

We have received a copy Of the ''Pro-
ceedipgs of the Chamber Of Commerce Of the
State of New York on the Continued Praces of
Vessels FITTED out in Great Britain upon Ameri.
can Commerce." bearing date on the 2lst Of
February, 1868.
These proceedings embrace the report of .
committee of which A. A. Low, Esq, was chair.
man, which clearly shows the piratical character
Of the Alabama and other similar vessels, built
and equipped 10 England; the perils they cause
not merely to American commerce, but likewise
to that of all other nations; that ell who aid and
abes this crusade of FIRE are participators in
crime against humanity; that the policy of En-
glund has been, and is. most serious outrage
on neutral rights; that the destruction of Ameri-
can and British ships and cargoes by fire, with
out adjudication, ought to be denounced as
crime by all, neutral nations and that such enor
mites jeopardize the peace of the world, and
cannot fail to produce feeling OF fierce exas-
peration throughout this country.
The report cites the laws of nations and the
laws of thiscountry, showing that both concur
in pr ohibsiDg the fitting out of armed vessels to
commit hosti!ities upon the commerce of State
With which the nation is at peace, and proves
that the action of our own country has always
beer in strict conformity with these laws. 1t
speaks of the conduct pursued by Great Britain;
mentions and describes numerous vessels now
constructing in English ship-ysrds, with scarce
an attempt to veil their purpose. and of the vel.
come the pirates have received in the Colonial
ports of Great Britain, France and Spain, as in
dicating and illustrating the specious nature Of
the neutrality they all profess.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Low. in
some remarks which accompany the report, tool
occasion to compare the conduct of our OWL
Government, in similar case, with that nov
pursued by England. The latter country de-
manded . bond for 100000 Of those who con-
trolled the Alabama. Our government require,
one for 100000, before permitting mucl
less valuable or dangerous vessel, to sail for
neutral destination, the condition being that j
should nevr be used against country or peopl
atpeace with the United States, 60 strong in
afterward TO cancel it. Also that during tn
Orimean war on contract made prior to il
commencement, for the construction of tn
Great Admiral for Russia, the building was en-
tirely suspended until the treaty of peace wa
concluded between that nation and France an
England. The report is accompanied with CO
pies of letters, official and unofficial, in relatio
to the general subject.
Taken altogether it furnishes very sufRcier
exhibition of the actual character Of Englis
neutrality, and proof conclusive that in tt
conduct of our own government and people 4
precedent can be found oexcuse or justify tt
deliberate per6dy of her rulers. We are
opinion that our own government has bee
wanting in frmness and decision in dealing vii
the outrageous conduct Of England. We thir
little more nerve would have produced tt
desired effect, and averted all danger Of rep
tition of the outrage, secured compensation f
the injury already done, and the seizure of Il
pirates on thsir 6rst entrance into any Britis
port.
MORE CoNFDENcE-A fellow calling himse
o. B. Claak has recently managed to swind
sundry Banks in Vermont out of the convenie
cam of $4,000, on forged drafts, which tn,
kindly cashed for HIM. He made his headqua