Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-27

In the House Of Lords. on che 22th Of
Ar-il, Lord Derby called attention to the
published correspondence between the Gov
ernment aud Me-sr, Laird, in reference TO
the steam ram-.
Earl Russell, IN reply, made long speech
from which quote. He said
have no hesitation In saying that
the Nessrs Laird had il IN their power 10 commit
this country 10 hostilities with the United States
Of America, and it was nothing but the vigil
ance Of the Goyernmeut-whlt the noble Earl
describes as their over vigillncc-Thich prevent
ed those respectable gentlemen from involving
US in war with the Northern States.
The Confc2erGis States Of -fmsricG-natu-
rally enough, and not 70 be wondered AZ. IN an
arduous attempt 10 establish hindependence-hdue
seat ageHts TO ihis country and 10 FrdRcs, but
more especially 10 this country; and that those
agents were Furnished with the means 90 have
ships built here. in order that such expeditions
as Sir Hugh Cairns refers TO, and as are forbid
den bv our own law, should be undertaken
against the United States-a Power with which
we are at peace. This was the case Of the Alex
ndra. Il was there shown that there was an Office
in Liverpool in which all these transactions were
carried on.
The learned Judge prevented evidence being
given as to what was the particular business
transacted; hut !: was proved that a certain
Can't. Bullock, TO whom the noble Earl has him
self referred, was the chief agent OF the Confei-
crate States at Liverpool; that he drew drafts for
the payment Of those persons who were serving
the Confederate States; that he appointed an IN
dividual paymaster Of the ship. afterwards callet
the Alabama; and that, in short, he took upon
himself all The functions OF regularly authoriz-
ell agent Of foreign power.
do not express any surprise Al that, for 1t is
not wonderful that the Confederate States, de-
sirous to establish independence, and while they
we're engaged in a perilous war for that purpose,
should endesvor by every means 10 hurt their
enemies; but what do feel surprise a., what /
do feel regret at, is that the provisions Of the
Foreign Enlistment act forbdding them % do
any act against neutrality and the laws Of na-
tions, having been brought to the knowledge Of
all her Majesty's subjects by proclamation. any
Of them should engage in these undertakings,
contrary to their duty to the crown, entirely
forgetting their obligations to their country, and
careless trhstheT or not they put US IA state 2'
uar rih Lhs United States
Such appear TO me to have been the character
Of the TRANSACTIONS in which those respectable
gentlemen. the Messrs. LAIRD. the Messrs. Mil
LER the Messrs FRAZER and others were engagei'
They have done everything in their power by
citing out ships, by engaging in contracts Tor
supplying vesses-of-war to the c,her belligerents,
to give the United States just cause Of war
against this country.
What the Government have 20 prove, and
what believe we shall be able 10 prove Is, that
the iron-clsds were built for the use Of the Con-
federate States, and consequently 1t has been
necessary TO disprove various stories which were
invented as to the destination Of the vessels.
think that we are bound TO maintain our
neutrality in the contest between the two parties
on the continent Of North America. Great is
sues are there under trial, and no issue greater
than the question of what will become Of thoSc
four millions Of the negro race. which have
hitherto been retained as slaves in the United
States For ny part, nersr hars been o5is 70
feel much sympathy vits either Of The eo-tsne-
ing republics Of the Crits5 ard cogfefsrdtt
States. Isaw that on the one side there was d
declaration IN favor of the perpetuiiy OF slavery
and on the other there seemed to be no measure:
taken ever to undo that unholy compact con-
I tainei in the Constitution Of the United States
by which a slave coming INTO free State, how
! ever much he may have suffered in endesvorina
to reach the free State. is liable to he again re
stored to his master.
II may be that the result Of this contest, the
I beginning Of which we all deplored, the contiu
uance of which We viii regret-it may BE- tha
The end Of his contest may see that sin, ha
( crims, that dst.sia5is stofe Of slGvery Jorers'
abolished from dmolgciriiisel nations.