New-York daily tribune., 1863-12-31
THE DIARY OF THE ALABAMA.

A pamphlet OF painful interest for all Amefl-
cans has just been published in London. .'si Is
entitled "The Cruise of the Alabama from
July. 1SG2, TO September. 1868, by an officer
on board" and in the form Of q diary gives Il
complete account Of all the depredations upon
American commerce committed by this most
notorious Of Rebel privateers. With the prin-
cipal facts in the career of tie Alabama our
readers are familiar, as we have given from
time 20 time detailed reports OF her doings.
La fact, il seems from the extracts of the
pamphlet which are pulished in English papers
'ha, no considerable addition is made to the ac-
counts previously obtained from other source.
Still the pamphlet, giving for The iirs' time a
connected and complete account Of the career
Of on, OF the mos, successful priyateers, must be
welcomed as m interesting contribution TO the
literature Of the war. Or the one hand, il is
full Of Information To the explots-of that yes
sci: on the other, 1t sheds q clear light on the
history Of our foreign relations, and especially
OF our relations with England and France. TIE
question may BE- raised whether TIE Confederate
officer did not IN some instances exacgerate the
marks OF sympathy which the Alabama received
from English and French officials II his ac-
counts, however are Trustworthy, they Will
ever be quoted, in the history Of our foreign re-
lalol4s, a, curious specimens Of the sort Of neu-
.ral.ty which two Of the Great Powers of Eu-
rope observed toward rs in the hour of our
greatest trial. We quote few specimens.
On Nov j.. 1862. the priya,eer reached the
French island of Martinique. There, he says
"a most enthusiasts reception was given by the
inhabitants. both civil and military. Invita-
tons were given TO the officers Gd Wtum, the
clubs being placed at our disposal On the
10Th. il was found that the L. ;. steamer San
Jacnto was within mile OF the Alabama. The
Governor Of the Island
issued notice. .bou' the town foblduy any municn
don With her he San Jscnio and prohibiting any supplies
being sen, them" The Governor stated u II wanted
to coil would be best Tor dlwuto s. Pierre and
anchor under the logts The French gunboa fas got up
s'r, ,nl ,acoei ner e. prevent any denomination being
made by the enemy while snchor her commander
aaoras cvey assistance 10y showing us the be-. place Of
.. ipe ths hai5,r Afforded"
The reception in Jamaica was equally cordial.
A, soon a. our arrival became known the mos, intense
.ecni prevailed II impossible to describe the tospi
table welcome received, every pacInr their houses at
isponl Up 20 p visitor, were constantly received
AL expressing NOS, hearty encouraging sympathy for
,ausr aud speaking hopefully q prospects, still the game
sn,hu,an pgcyas visitor, Of each and every clis.
cons bond officers and men going Ola shore aud recev
ius the mos. ni,icrns attention"
The pamphlet contains, doubtlessly, many
more specimens of this Rebel sympathy in the
English AMI French colonies. II certainly de-
serves to be carefully studied by all who wish
10 learn the truth respecting our foreign rela-
tons. Some American publisher perhaps may
MAKE IL accessible to the public N large.