New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-13
OUR BRITISH FRIENDS.

We are iphexiby opposed to hossilities with
any European power until after the close Of
our Civil War. Let any such Power heap In.
suit upon insult, wrong upon wrong, outrage
upon outrage, and still We would bear and
forbear until the Slsveholders Rebellion shall
have been conclusively dealt with. And even
then, osr way of resentins and resisting any
but the most fragrant and imminently psrilous
injuries would DO by Non-Intercourse, not
War. If any nation does us harm, te IL oar
policy TO let her alone seyerely-untl she shsn
soc fit to repent and amend.
But, though We would not now repel the
wrongs hespsd upon US by the ruling classes in
Great Britain, we do not the lees keenly feel
them. They are all treasured up against the
day of reckoning which must surely como.
The case Of the Rebel corsair Alabama 10
perhaps tho most fagrant among the many re-
cent instances of British injustice and bad faith.
This swift, strong steamship was built ct Liv-
erpoOl in the sbipyard Of member of Pariia-
ment, expressly for the Rebel service. Before
she was ready for sea, our Minister at the
British Court spprissd the Government OF her
character and purpose, and asked that measures
be taken 10 detan her. Earl Russell required
legal evidence of Mr. Adamss allegations against
her. Time was necessarily taken TO procure
this; but it was duly furnished, and should
have been conclusive. But she was not yet
ready to start; go tho Foreign Minister re-
ferred the case to the legal advisers Of the
Crown for their opinion. They gave it, three
days afterward; and thereupon telegraphic
dispatch was sent directing that the vessel be
stopped; but she had slipped away few hours
previous ~ its receipt, unarmed indeed, bat
every way constructed and fitted up for war;
and her armament went out about the same
time with her to q port Of tho Azores. where
she was fully equipped for the devastating ca
reer she hos ever since pursued. Il
The debate in the House Of Commons on
this subject on the 9th ult is chiefly remark
able for the disingenuous special pleading of
the Solicitor General and the sneeriDg ihsolence
Of the Premier. The former quoted all the
precedents which had no application to the case,
aud suppressed all that were directly to the
point He proved that neither Great Britain
nor the United States interdict the sale OF
munitions Of war to bslligerents with whom
they arc respectively at peacej wherefore be
argued that the building and fitting ous Of
ships Of war to cruise against the commerce Of
a friendly Power in the interest Of that Powers
public enemy stands on the same footing. But
this is refuted by the simple fact that the law
officers of the Crown decided that the Alabama
ought to be stopped, and that the Government
issued an order in eonsonance with this deci-
sion. 1t is not an American, it is British
legal opinion that discrimiDates the case OF the
Alabama from that of the mere sale of contra
band Of war to belgerents. The law officers
of the Crown, the Government coneurrlog
have saved US all necessity Of arguing this
point.
: The Alabama is therefore British-built
ship. pierced aud fitted up for war, which has
stolen out of British port in violation Of
British law. She Is out of British jurisdiction
by reason of forfeiture of tAe bonds given
that abe should not leave until she had legal
clearance, winch shs has never yet received.
This Brtish.but ship was armed at the Azores
with British guus, IN undoubted accordance
with arrangements made before she left Liver
pool. and ia manned by 0 British crew, en-
listed in British port. She has never yet Gu
tered port of the Confederate States. She
has been pluuderiDg and burning our merchant
ships and running away from our stronger wat