The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-06

DEFARTNEyT or STATE.
WASHINGTON, July IL, 1868.
"If the mi
ings of the chief baron Of the oxch,-
quer in the case OF the Alexandra shall
be affirmed 50 As 10 regulate the action
Of her Majesty government, the Presi-
denl, vii, As he TANKS, be LETT to TN
derstand that there Is no law iri Great
Britain which VIII be effective 70 pre-
serve mutual relations Of Ior5earancc
between the subjects Of her Majesty
and the government and peopla Of the
United Ststes in the only point where
they are exposed TO mfrac.ion. Tho
fitting out of the Alabama and .he
Florida, as well as Of the Alexandra.
viii thus receive the sanction Of the
government, aud the United Statesarill
be without any guaranty whatever
I against the indiscriminate and Lnlimit-
ed employment Of capital industry and
skill, BY British subjects, in building.
arming, equipping and sending forth
ships-Ot-war from British ports 10 n,a ke
war against the United States.
Il may safely protest in behalfof the
United states, against the assumption
of that position by the British nation.
because this government with statute
exactly similar to that Of Great Britain.
does constantly hold itself able and
bound to prevent such injuries to Great
Britain. The President thinks it not
improper TO suggest fer the consider
alton OF her Majesty's government the
question whether, on appeal 10 be made
by them, Parliament might not think
il just and expedient to amend the rex-
isting statue in such a way as to effect
what the two governments actually
believe II ought now 70 accomplish. in
case Of sach an appeal the President
would not hesitate to apply 10 Congress
for an equivalent amendment Of the
laws Of the United States il her Maies-
tvs government should desire such q
proceeding, although here said an
amendment is not deemed necessary.
If the law Of Great Britain must. be
left without amendment, and be con
strued by the government in conformity
with the rulings of the chief baron Of
the exchequer, then there will be left
for the United States no alternative but
TO protect themselves and their com
merce against armed cruisers proceed
ing from British ports, as against the
naval forces Of a public enemy; and.
also, to claim and insist upon indemni-
ties for the injuries which such expedi-
tions have hitherto committed or Shall
hereafter commit against this govern
ment and the citizens Of the United
States. To this government IS nov pre-
pairing naval force with the utmost
vigor and if the national nay, WIN n
it Is rapidly creating shall not be suifi-
clent for the emergency. then the Unn a
states must bring into employ ment sacn
private armed ravai forces as the rlcl-
camille marine shall afford. British
ports, domestic as we'll as colonial d.
now open, under certain restrictions 10
the visits e Piratical vessels. and not
only furnish them Goals, provisions and
repairs, but even receive their rris0ners
when the enemies Of she United Sfftrs
come IA % obtain such relief from
voyages in which they have either burn.
ed ships tAey have captured, or have
even manned and armed them a. III
rates, and sent thom sbrOad as aUxilia-
rics in the world Of destruction. Can
II be an occasion for either surprise or
complaint that ifthis condition 0fthins.
Is 70 remain and receive The deliberate
sanction Of the British Government.
TIE navy of the United States will
receive instructions 10 pursue these
enemies into the ports which thus. In
violation Of the law Of nations and the
obligations of neutrality, become har-
bors fof the pirates The President
Very distinctly perceiyes the risks and
hazards which a naval conflict taus
nIeint1ined wiz bring 70 tie comm erce
and even 10 the peace Of the two cOan-
tries But he Is obliged 70 consider that
in the case supposed the destruction Of
our commerce viii probably amount &,
a naval Wa "a ,ed by portion al ,east
Of the British nation agair i tie gov
eminent and people Of the United States
"a war tOlera. i although not declared
OF ayo~ed by the British government
il, through the necessary employment
Of all our means Of rational defence.
partial war shall become a general
one between the two nations the Presi-
dent thinks that the responsibility for
that painful result viii not fail u, IN the
United States
{" In stating thus frankly The yiows Of
this government, it il proper for me 10
add that il II not the Presidents bur
pose to resort % the extraordinary
measures Of defence to which hssve
referred, unless they shall De rendered
necessary BY a final decision 81 The
British government that Il cannO5 and
will not interfere b restrain tho lIo-
tilities which are nCs apprehended, nor
viii ! allow myself 70 suppose that be-
Mgestys government viii Tor a moment
conceive that anything I have written
iIpOn this point i written IN a spirit OF
mere demonstration; on tho contrary.
while The pacific and friendly dispositiou
Of her Britannia Majestys goyerament
is fully appreciated and relied upon. it
is well understood that that government
is the last one IN the world - yisld g.
vehemence what cannot be conceded in
equity and justice. -. on the other
hand. II ought o. be understood that
the United States, if they could o~er
be presumptuous, are sufficiently chast-
ened already by .he scourge OfCiyil war
10 seek peace and friendship with Great
Britain ami all other nations through
any concession that j. Compatible with
the permanent Interests Of national lie
and horr-" "