Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-29
THE CONFEDERATE PRivATEERs.

The French Journals are discussing with much zeal
and ability the question raised by paragraph of the off,
cia organ (the Monteur) whether the Florida Alabama,
and other vessels puporng to be commissioned by the
Rebel Government men-of war or pirates. Il 10
worthy remark that all the prints of liberal sentiments
decided in their exp of the opinion that these
vessels nothing ess than corsars in the eyes of inter-
national law and such deserving of condemnation 1T
the hands of civilized nations No Of them however,
argues the question with force than the Steele from
which take this extract:
"The official defenders Of these acts OF piracy pass by
in silence the most important part of the matter We
reiterae the question have several times putt Where
the decisions of the prize courts which have author
ICED these Confederate kmmers of the appropriate
the vauables found in the captured ships aud to fire
to those shps vessel of only sinks the ships that
resist herr officers without any exception would be
war would inalbly condem them they unlucky
to forget the honor Of their position order to enrich
Themselves by piage
ave have raid and we MAINTAIN it, thut in presence Of
the acts of piracy this ship has committed ia presence Of
the impossbty under which Government finds itself
placed of compelling the people at Richmond render
justice to our merchants international law authorizes tn,
seizure and sale of this vessel for the purpose of ndemni
flying those whom she has despoilei.
In orier to ascertain tue right and the duties Of
trails in matter Of this kind, need OILY ask what the
Government would do if such nfractons Of the law Of
nations were committed by European Powers Let us
supros. for instant that Spain aad Holland war
Dutch ship captures Spanish ship laden with cargo
French account In virtue of the principle recognized
by all civilized nations, and according which the hostile
does not confscite neutral merchandise, the Dutch
Government would restore to countrymen the cargo
which belonged to them. But take serious Case
The ship laden with the cargo has been sunkr European
fleets burn-and the cargo is destroyed. THIS s
act Of war; admitted act If war. What would
our Government do however, It would Immediately
make claim upon the Dutch Government which would
hasten 10 indemnify the of the cargo There 10
exception except in the case Of contraband Of war;
But let go further LIT admit that for some
reason or other the Dutch Government refuses to give
satisfaction reprsals would be Immediately commenced
and vessels Of would receive orders to chase
Dutch vessels OF course cannot chase the merchant
ssels Of the South that maritime State having other
navy than the pirate ships constructed 10 English yards
for the sol dsant Pacha of Egypt King of Siam, EN-
peror OF China But since Of these pirate ships, the
most cimna as far We are concerned has come and
itself guaranty for the depredatOns it has
committed ought be seized aud sold in ortsr to in
demnify those OF merchants whose interests 1t has
injured.
1.-THE Florid. ship Of war The Alabama a ship Of
war! Why shot has never besn fired from either of
them at armed vessel. jean Bart was ccrssir but
he lid not away from the English flag. He fought 1t
boldly honestly and did not burn tao unarmsd ships he
met with We must seek in the most disg aceuI pages
OF the history Of buccaneerng and ths slave trade for
similar facts those which have conferred upon the ships
Of the South their deplorable notoriety. -
"It is time however, to put end 10 their depreda
tons Il maritime trade is to regain confidence, and feel
thatit is not deprived OF ali protection Now for instance
find that certificate the French Consul at Lima 10
MT sufficient guaranty for property and that in
tempt Of the official declaration of accredited agent Of
our Government, the Alabama has just burnt anoth
ship with French cargo board Have had insults
enoughf Have we had enough outragrsl For oursevrs
still think that the Florida ought not to BIO allowed to
leave Brest until is niemnifed. She 10.
told the property Of the Confederate States let
her pay the debts Of those States"
letter addressed to the Phare dc Ia Loire explains the
reference above made 10 the privateer Alabama The
letter is from Capt Frost Of the American ship Express
He bound, he Gays, from the Chnoha Islands to
Antwerp with cargo which was recognised and officially
certified as neutral property by the French Consul at
Lima. The Express nevertheless captured by the
Alabama, was declared lawful prize, notwithstanding
tho pro estaton Of the captain and the certificate Of the
French Consul, and piaged aud burnt " This
perhaps, will MT prevent The Monu says the Steele
frt IN telling OF thrse days that the Alabama
neither pirate corssir, but regular vessel of
war, commanded by officers furnished with Official com
missions and strictly following the laws Of nations and the
ordinary laws Of war"
STUDENTS OF HARVARD CoLLEGE.--There are at this
tme eight Hundred and twenty students
OF whom Eve hundred are from Massachusetts,.