Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-09-17
From The London Times of ssptsmDsr /


The question of the Confederate steamers ia becoming
both serious and Urgent wish we could add that it ia
also becoming clear Unfortunately it Ia full of the
gravest doubts and although probably one Engishman
IN ten would be under any uncertainty what he would
wish to see DONE it by certain that the power
of action exists Common belief we'll current report
assigns to the service of the Confederate Government two
powerful ronclad vessels approaching completion in
well known yard the Mersey That these ships ara
war shps and of the most formidable kind cannot be- dis
puted They are plated with A inch armor they have
turrets for mounting heavy guns and their stems are so
constructed that they be used rams On this point
therefore, no question be raised But our builders
are constantly constructing ships of war for foreign Gov
ernments aud 1t Is only the presumption that these
particular vessels are intended for bellgerent Power
tha the laWulness OF their destination
at all Such presumption, however, prevails : /.
We have only to ask ourselves what our feelings would
have been IT. while we We're bockading the Russian ports
during the Crimean war neutral State had furnished
the Russian Government with cruisers enouob to cose be
sea against cur Of course we should never
have allowed them such range the Alabama has en-
oyed but some day other we with our enormous
navy, may find our hands too full.
IL Is not our interest to allow such precedent TO be-
established tor the first time if it does exist already
nor TO connlve at its extensions it has any existence
vi all the doubts which the question ought to
give ourselves the benefit and interests happens
coincide on this occasion with the sction of the Federal
States.
South must be perfectly that we can make no con-
cesslon to menace and that laws of England whatever
they may be- are not to be changed the dcation of
loreign State. We believe that if our Government could
ee tse Justified IN stopping any suspected vessel the
puoiic would be glad to The power exercised We
40 not think 1T morally right that ships like the Alabama
should leaVe our ports for such service that which
they are engaged We do not wish TO sac any more of
them sail on the like errand though the Federas have
themselves mainly to thank for the mischief which these
cruisers have been permitted work. We are even dis
posed to think that If the foreign enlistment act 10 not
comprehensive enough to prevent such dealings might
De advaniageously made but authorities can only
administer the law as it stands
The alleged destiuaton of the vessels in question ia
apparently denied, and ii il admitted the abb
sence OF any equipment" might render the bargain
lawful The Federas too, should be- reasonable enough
TO that our impartaly in respect of this kind
oi trade has been abundantly proved Whatever may
have been the ympathes of the country there has been
no favor shown IN The matter of The North
erners have had without stint mo-statioD cannon
rifles powder and every other description of warke
tera 10 their hearts content Our neutrality therefore,
has not been vtaed by sny thing like preference AMI
little, even IN the present case, influenced by
sympathes, that if these steam really destined
for the Confederate Government, sincerely hope the
law may be strong enough to stop them.