Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-01
DETENTION OF REBEL RAMS.

The London Morning Post Sept. 18th says:
Some doubt has been cast upop the statement which
made few days with reference to the steam
in course of construction at Mr. Laird's yard. We
only repeat certainty of its accuracy The Govern
ment has given to the builder that the ships will
not be allowed to leave the Mersey and if it is found that
their construction contrary to the terms of the foreign
enlistment act they will be seized violating its provi
sions.'
The following important announcement appears in tho
London Morning Herald of the 18th Sept, confirming
the foregoing reports
"We are informed that Earl Russell Wednesday
dispatched by written missve, positive order to Messrs
Laird prevent these vessels leaving their yards without
ample explanation of their destination aud sustain
able reference to the for whom they
constructed Iii affirmed moreover that the French
ambassador has been appealed To to the possibility
nOnpossibty of French subject having ordered vessels
of this stamp of English shipbuider. There is de-
cared to have come proper official reply from his Excel
ency that French subject has legal right to possess
purchase vessels of either for himself or on behalf
Of others.
Earl Russell it is said argues to himself that these
vessels could only be vessels for the warke purposes of
State individual His ordshp holds that Messrs.
Laird bound to decareand sustain on unmpeachabe
testimony such declaraton-the Government for whom
the steam rams have been built
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs is also Of opinion
that it pleaded that these vessels for individual
owner, native foreign, that individual could only be
privateer pirate And 10 these grounds that the
Government has made up its mind
"At any rate, the English Government is firmly
resolved TO try the question IN court OF law, and
amerced for damages, to make appeal for support to
the House Of Commons"
AN IMPORTANT SPEECH EARL RUSSELL.
On the 9th of September Earl RUSSELL presented
with the freedom Of the town of Dundee, the occasion
Of the opening Of the Peoples Park in that town. Provost
Parker read the addresses of the Town Council which
contained the following sentence:
We cannot close this address without congratulatng
your ordshp, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
the peaceful relations at present existing between the
Crown and all the European Powers; and expressing
great satisfaction that her Msjesys Government have
kept the nation from enane lement in the much be de-
Southern States of America. The constitutional prnc
Piles which have been the guide Of your ordshp hitherto
the best the nation have regards the
future"
In his reply Earl RUSSELL said
As Secretary for Foreign Affairs il has been nv OBJ
ject to preserve peace with honor You may rely with
confidence in the Administration of Lord Pamerston who
is so justly and universally popular for maintaining line
of strict impartisty in The amentable conflict in lmsr
Cheers The duties of utrality between parties
violently hostile are not easily performed 1t has been
and 1t will be endeavor to exercise the powers now
entrusted which may be entrusted TO the Crown by
Parliament IN such manner Mt TO defe at every
attempt to engage people ia enterprises inconsistent
with neutral position and TO preserve for ourselves
persons and property those safeguards of British
law and British justice to which alone they indebted
for the security they now enjoy" Loud and prolonged
cheering
vote Of thanks to the Provost and cheers for TIE
Queen and the Earl and Countess Russell closed the pro-
oeedngs.