Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-21


sells sagacious that have recommended them 10
the earnest consideration of the Secretary Of the Navy
At the same time you will excuse me for stating tne
difficulties Of enduring without resort TO extreme mes
of resistance the invasion which Is threatened
from the ports Of Great Britain The navy understand
that although the capacities of the department have been
taxed to the utmost for defensive preparations and maur
ing the blockade they neither have now nor can season
ably have vessels that be spared from the siege o.
Charleston adequate to resist the formidable rams WHICH,
virtually with the Of the British Parliament are
within few weeks to come forth against from Lards
shpyard The vessels which the Lairds are prepar
ing must therefore be expected to enter Portland boson
New York. if they prefer, must attempt TO break tue
blockade at Charleston to ascend the Mississippi 10
New Orleans Can the British Government suppose for
that such assault thus nedltated can be
made upon us by British built armed and manned vessels
without at arousng the whole nation and making
retaatory war inevitabe7 Whatever view may be taken
of the fortunes Of the instruction in Europe it is deemed
clear this country that the fAcous spirit which gave it
birth ia rapidly declining and the sentiment Of nationality
is developing itself with energy never before
known The nation after two years OF experience OF war;
has overcome the of fear while its temper highly
excited 1t believes that though found unpepaed there
limits to its ultimate ability for selfdefence IL mas
and Congress free and bold as the pres and
the Parliament of Great Britain You have only to listen
to the political debates any part of the country to learn
that the United States would accept unProvoked for
eign with unanimity and cheerfulness than
any former period. write this with all the earnest
ness of conviction and with all the which one
must feel who believes that any foreign war must be only
inferior in the danger brings to the domestic war which
so many differing from me- have thought endangered the
very existence Of my country am sure that British
statesmen must know that between their country
and the United States is unnecessary, and that it could
bring no resulting benefits to Great Britain For the
teres of both countries and of civilization hope there
will not blow al.fom under their hands that will rem
| der peace impossible"
| Ina despatch of February 10, 1868, Mr. Seward in,
forms Mr. Adams in regard to the bill comforting upon the
President the power Of granting Letters of marque and re-
prsa that the Executive Government will be at liberty to
put it in force in it's discretion He had had little hesita
ton in saying to Lord Lyons that if no extreme crcum-
stances occur there will be entire frankness the part
of the Government in communicating to him upon the
subject far to avoid any surprise on the part OF
friendly nations whose commerce or navigation II might
be found would be incidentally and indirectly affected if it
shall be found expeden to put the act in force against
the insurgents of the United States
In letter of Lord Russell to Mr. Adams, dated Sep
tsmber H. 1863 the former says 1t has been the aim OF
the parties who for two years have carried civil war
of unusual extent and !oss of life the Continent of
North America. Her Msestys Government have for the
most part succeeded in this impartial course If they
have been unable to prevent violations of neutrality
the part of the ueens subj cts the has been
that Great Britain is country which is governed by
definite laws aud is not subject to arbitrary will But
law you well aware, s enforced here as In the
United States by independent courts OF justice, which
will not admit assertion for proof conjecture for
tanty In the United States in England questions Of
this nature have been discussed by judges of great legal
ability whose esrning and mpataty have given weight
and authority to their decisions every part Of the civil
lied world Her Msjesty's Government feel confident
that the President of the United States will be disposed
rather those great expostors of international
law and to be guided rather by careful examination of
the course Of Msjesys Government than yield the
hasty conclusions and preudcial imputaions Of public
| camor"
After further remark upon this subject, Lord Russell
concludes by saying 81 have to add that instructions
been issued for preventing the departure of the IRON
cads question from Liverpool until satisfactory evidence
be given to their destination at all events until
the inquiries which being prosecuted with view
to obtain such evidence shall have been brought to
clusion."
In the Of long reply from Mr. Adams he says,
The history the past two years has proved beyond the
possibility of denial that the insurgents have steadily and
perstenty been engaged 10 transgressng the limit above
laid down They have built ships in the ports of this king
dom wi the intent to make the United States
they have equipped and armed those ships with the aid of
British subecs they have manned those ships by the
lstment OF British subjects and without entering
any nsurgent harbo they have sailed the high
committing depre datons the property of the people
the United States under protection of the British fay In
advance of this series of proceedings have been steadily
engaged in making representations of the danger OF the
to your ordshp the correctness Of which has been
almost uniformly verified by the result"
Mr. Seward writes to Mr.. Adams, September o. 1863:
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
despatch Of the 9Th Of September together with the cor
respondence which took place between Earl Russell and
yourself the occasion Of the decision of her Maesy
Government to prevent the departure of the ronclsd
steamships which have been prepared Liverpool to make
war against The United States
You already Of the considerations affecting
the safety of country which make this proceeding en-
inenty gratifying There are, however, other crcum-
stances which ought not to be overlooked This Govern
men has not been forgetfu Of the agency OF dsoya c
zens Of the United States in inauguratng the hostile en-
terprs, and in instgatng debates in Parliament and in
the have tended TO embarrass the British Min
stry and aggravae the responsibility which has devoved
upon them The President therefore, thinks that be APP
in some degree the frmness and fidelity 10 inst