Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-12
Earl Russell closes his remarks as follows

II may be that complaints have been made in
this country which are not without foundation it
may be that United States officers have not OBJ.
served these rules, but have gone beyond the de
rectons that they have received it may be that
they have seized vessels that were really going to
Ma'amoras or some neutral port without sufficient
evidence that the cargo was of cOntrabind
character. But it does seem TO me- in spite of
what my noble friend says, that the government
Of this country is bound to take calm view of
these matters, to represent them fairly to the u.
5. Government, and not to presume that the Gov
eminent of the United States would fail in their
duty to friendly power, or that they would
countenance outrages which are against the law
of nations These representations will be made,
and Iexpeoi that, Jhey ac just, reparOhon cH
not be refused. (tlear, heaL) have al.
ready said that what took place at the interview
which had with the ship owners has not been
fully given. One mistake has certainly been made
1t is said that | expressed surprise at the infor.
nation that oertnin British subjects had been
made prisoners and detained in a place OF con.
iinemeut by the authorities Of the United States.
| certainly did no! express any surprise for had
been reading that very morning the representa-.
subjects themselves who had been SO detained,
and detained apparently with great and nnneces.
sary harshness, the object being merely to deiain
them in order that they might give evidence in
the prize court. 1t cannot be doubted that there
are presidents showing that when case is brought
before the Prize Court the master OF the vessel
may give evidence of the real character Of the
cargo and the destination Of the vessel, and that
he may be detained for tina, purpose. But it seems
to me tie United States authorities have gone G..
You'd what they fairly had right to do When
we we're belgerents many cases involving bel.
ligerent and neutral rights were brought before a
very eminent Judge whose decisions were generally
aud universally respected and, though believe
he carried the principle favorable 10 oaptors To
perhaps rather a severe length bel ond doubt
they were in conformity with the law of nations.
aIlude to Lord Stowell. We we're the behg.
erents we are now neutrals
But | said thought it would not become the
character OF this nation, because We had changed
our position, TO invoke another law aud another
measure (cheers) to declare that those deeis
ions OF Lord SIowell, which were advantageous
to US when we were beiserents, should be thrown
aside aud rejected by US when we became neu.
trals tCheefs.) Accordingly, those persons
who think that whatever may be the destination
OF ship, and whatever papers she may have on
board, showing that she is about TO break the
blockade, o. TO carry arms to some one of the
Confederate States now in hostility with the Uni.
ted States, they they are to be protected by the
power Of the British nation in contradiction TO all
our own decisions and in contradiction to the
law Of nations will, hope, know tina, the British
Government never will place itself in that DO.
siton. tCheers) Let US look impanaly at
these cases which have occurred. 1t may be tina,
We have suffered grevous wrong it may be that
we have right to considerable reparalion but
let the two Governments treat the cases fairly.
We have on this side Of the Atlantic The dec slons
OF great Judge in America they have the
views laid down by Judge Story and the writings
OF MI. Wheaton. With these authorities TO guide
Us, let US see who is 10 the right and who is In
wrong. But let US discuss the circumstances with
a wish TO do justice TO each other Don't let U.
be led by passion into anything which Is not
founded on justice, aud which cannot afterwards
be justified IN the face Of the world. tCh,es1