The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-05
England and the United States...Di
plomatic Correspondence.

That past of the diplomatic correspon-
dence just laid before Congress which re-
lates to the outfit of rebel vessels in Brit
ish ports, covers the period from February
to September of last year, and includes
letters from Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Adams, Earl
Russell and Mr.. Laird. The remonstrances
of Mr.. Adams, in the early part of 1868,
against the equipment of rebel vessels in
British ports, elected reply from Earl
Russell, to the effect that the British Gov
eminent did not regard the evidence as
sufficient. On the 10th Of April Mr.. Sew
ard apprlsed M. Adams that our Govern
ment had learned "with surprise and
regret" that loan to the rebels had been
made in LondoI, with conditions of secu-
rity of payment openly hostile to the
United States" Mr.. Seward thereupon
instructed Mr.. Adams as follows:
The loan made by European capitalists is
direct engagement with the armed insurgents
who have assumed to cOntrO', supply and de-
liver cotton for the reimbursement of the
money advanced, with interest. You will give
notice to Earl Russell that this transaction
necessarily brings to an end all concessions of
whatever form that have been made by this
government for mitigating or relieving the
riGor Of the blockade in regard to the shipment
of cotton and tobacco. Nor will any title of
any person, whether citizen of the United
States or subject of a foreign power, to any
cotton or merchandise, which title is derived
from or through any pretended insurgent au-
"a, s1n to TIT
States be respected by this government.
In reference to the Alexandra case, Mr.
Adams was further instructed by Mr.. Sew
ard, under date of July II, as follows:
If the law Of Great Britain must be left with.
out amendment, and be construed by the gov
eminent in conformity with the rulings I, the
Chief Baron of the EXchequer, then there will
be left for the United States no alternative but
to protect themselves and their commerce
against armed cruisers proceeding from British
ports as against the naval forces of q public
enemy; and also to claim and insist upon in
IDENTITIES for the injuries which all such ex-
peditions have hitherto committed or shall
hereafter commit against this government and
the cilizens of the United States. To this end
this government Is now preparing naval force
with the utmost vigor; and if the national ma
w. which it is rapidly creating, shall not be
States must bring into employment such pri-
vate armed naval forces as the mercantile ma
rine shall afford. British ports, domestic as
well as colonial, are now open, under certain
restrictions, to the visits of piratical vessels,
and not only furnish them with coal. provi.
siOns and repairs, but even receive their pris
.oners when the enemies of the United States
come in to obtain such relief from voyages in
which they have either burned ships which
they have captured. or have even manned and
armed them as pirates and sent them abroad as
auxiliaries in the work of destruction. Can
1t be an occasion for either surprise or COM
plant that if this condition of things is to re-
main and receive the deliberate sanction of the
British government the navy of the United
States will receive instructions to pursue
these enemies into the ports which thus, in
violation of the law of nations and the obliga-
tons OF neutrality, become harbors for the
pirates? The President very distinctly per-
ceives the risks and hazards which naval con-
fiict thus maintained will bring to the COM
merce and even to the peace of the two coun-
tries. But he is obliged to consider that in the
case supposed the destruction of our commerce
will probably amount to naval war waged by q
portion, at least, of the British government