The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-22

The Boston Journal has a sensible article
on this subject. the surrender of the vessel
to the British authorities was a measure of
international comfy which, perhaps, was wise
and prudent under the circumstances of the
capture. The rescue OF the crew by promi-
nent citizens Of Halifax is but another evil
dence Of the unfriendliness of the people of
the Provinces, which forms no ground of just
complaint against the British Government un-
less 1t justnes the act and permits these pi-
rates and murdcrcrs TO so at large.
The questions growing out of this whole
affair are OF the most delicate character. The
recapture was made in British waters and
we justify il on the broad ground that the
eaptors OF the Chesapeake we're pirates, who
were enemies of civilization aud amcnable to
justice wherever they might be found. Our
own statute laws require naval officers to pur-
sue and capture pirates in whatever port they
may find refuge, and the laws of other nations
are equally liberal on the side of justice and
humanity. Nor would such capture be con-
sdered violation of neutrality under the
AaWc Va hotobss toituoh6h wv iuiCo VI lubSl-
national law in relation to piracy are by no
means clearly defined) if the fact of piracy was
beyond dispute.
The British government possibly may take
advantage Of all possible technicalities; but if
our government is prompt, square-edged and
unequivocal In its demands, we have no doubt
substantial justice will be rendered by the
English authorities. If invaded the right
full territory of Great Britain to recapture the
Chesapeake, it was done under such circum-
stances that the act will receive the moral
sanction OF all disinterested parties, and I'M
less England is disposed to pick a quarrel with
us, she will not insist too strenuously upon
point of this kind The seizure of the Chesa.
peake was concocted on British soil, and the
desperadoes who committed the deed took
passage from a British port for that very pur-
pose, and they took their il-gotten prize into
British waters, where we pursued aud retook
her, and the whole civilized world would de-
neunce the government which, AFTER having
whether innocently or otherwise--connived at
great wrong done to friendly nation, should
make the redress Of that wrong a pretext for
hostilities. But, as the Journal suggests, there
are other questions growing out Of this affair
which must be settled. The sale OF portion
OF the cargo of the Chesapeake in British
port and to British subjects was clearly unlaw-
full, even II her pirate crew are elevated into
the comparative dignity of privateers. The
cargo was not a lawful prize under the law of
nations until it had been condemned by a
prize court. Its sale was therefore illegal, and
restitution should be demanded by our gov
ernment. The disposition which is to be made
OF the Chesapeake is another subject Of In.
quiry. II she was recaptured from pirates,
she must be restored TO her original owner.
under British law; If from prlvateers, 1t Is
difficult to see how the British government
can establish any claim to her, and If II re.
stores her to the pirates it would thus sanction
and endorse their proceedings making pre-,
cedent which, looking at its own interests as
maritime nation, would be as ipjudicous as
II Is absurd.