The New York herald., 1863-04-11

The Privateering 0uessfon-strong Fro
babiIity OF Rupture with EnGland.
Important information which We hsve re-
ceived from Washington, and from sources en-
titled TO respect leads us to conclude that there
are strong probabilities existing of speedy
rupture between the United States and England,
ing from the unfriendly and offensive
course of the British government towards this
country in reference 10 rebel prvateers built,
armed and equipped in British ports and issuing
therefrom to prey upon American commerce on
the high seas
Our readers are aware that since the adjourn
ment of Congress the Cabinet from time to time
has been reported as having had under con-
sideration the question Of the employment Of
private armed vessels on the ocean in the fur
ther prosecution of this war, and in pursuance
of the late act of Congress on the subject. This
question We understand, the Cabinet has at
length determined shall be left to the decision
of fEngand and upon her acceptance of peace
| or war with the United States, in relation to
these Anglo-rebel privateers. In other words,
the administration, in Cabinet council has re-
solved that England shall in good faith adhere
| to her proclamations of neutrality, and that
her ports no longer shall be the navy
| yards of the ssso-called Confederate States;"
or that swarms of privateers, under the
flag of the United States, shallabe let loose upon
the ocean, to make rsprisals upon English
commerce. Of course this will be war; and the
demand indicated, which is to 60 out to Eng
land, for an. honest observance of her obligs-
tions of neutrality, embraces this warning
or conditional declaration Of war.
| In this connection, the correspondence which
we publish this morning, between Earl Russell
and Mr.. Adams, our Minister at London, is very
interesting and significant Mr.. Adams calls
the attention of Earl Russell to the admitted
fact of a violation of q statue Of this kingdom
| (England) intended to prevent ill-disposed per.
sons from involving it in difficulty, by commit
ting wanton and injurious assaults upon foreign
nations with which It is at peace, of which her
Najesty's Ministers are invited to take cogni-
zance; of which they do take cOgnizance, SO
far as to prepare measures of prevention, but
which, by reason of circumstances wholly with
in their own control, they do not prevent in
season to save the justly complaining party
}. from serious injury"
I The fippant and ill-tempered reply of Earl
Russell to this grave and undeniable charge
may be readily answered. He cannot escape
under the miserable plea that the local laws Of
England have restrained her government from
interfering, while they have facilitated the
building, arming. equipment and sending out
| sch Il 10
under an unrecognized flag, upon the
commerce of friendly nation. We
| have nothing to do with the local
laws of England. We hold her to her
proclamation of neutrality and to the supreme
law of nations. Nor will the shallow excuse
avail Earl Russell that British subjects have
disregarded the Queens proclamation in fur.
nishing war supplies to both parties in this
civil war; The offence still exists that her
Majesty's government, "A its Indifference to the
notorious acts Of which Mr.. Adams complains
has practically made itself confederate Of
JEFF. Davis and an enemy Of the United States
for when the attention of government has
been seasonably drawn to any illegal acts Of
its citizens or subjects, and It fails to enforce
its obligatiQna and its authority, it becomes q
party to the dhence complained Of, and may be
] justly called upon for the reparaton of all re.
sulting damages to the party injured.
No doubt such have been the conclusions OF
the Cabinet in regard to the rebel privateer
Alabama, and other vessels on the same ser.
vice, sent out from the shipyards Of England
Thus the very cases of the Citizen Genet's
privateers furnish, iu their final settlement
a conclusive answer to the defence in which
they are brought forward by Earl Russell
England will therefore be called upon for in
demnity, and, in default thereof, she will in oil
probability be compelled to meet the alterna.
tive of reprisals by privateers upon her own
commerce, and the tremendous responsibilities
and dangers, foreign and domestic, of wal
with the United States.
We have nothing to expect from considera
tions Of justice from the British government
The existing ministry, instead of cultivatinq
the good will of the United States, have mani
tested in every way, from the outbreak Of tbi;
rebellion, strong inclipation to take sides with
it. offensive and defensive, in order to destroy
this oversbadowing republic England may
therefore, prefer war to the reparation of the
wrongs she has committed against us. She will
at all events, be required to change her course
or take t6s Consequences. We know that wal
with England will unite the people of the loyal
States as they have never been united hereto
fore; and doubtless this conviction has had It's
weight in bringing the administration to the
resolution Of presenting the simple alternative
to Earl Russell Of an honest neutrality or war.
THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO MExrco.-wt
publish to-day The first instalment of q mos
able historical sketch Of the ill-advsed French
expedition to the republic of Mexico. II is &
document well worthy Of being read BY every