Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-12-09
The Florida.

has been relieved OF its most Objectionable
point of difficulty, in case that Brazil
claims, under the instieation ofoutside par
ties. restitution in full. The Florida,
hanks to the skill Of the Captain OF
government transport, and the weight OF
his craft, has gone TO the bottom of the sea
| in Hampton Roads. 1t is difficult at this
tiue. to determine which of the two com
manders,-Collns or be who commanded
+ the transport. is most deserving of public
applause. In the light of law and morali-
+ tv, without examining the attending cir
cumstances, it may appear all wrong; but
when all the preceding facts are narrated
+ and examined, it appears all right for Col
Inns to ''cut OUT a piratieal vessel in a
neutral port, and put her in the safe keep
ing of his government, that has suffered so
largely by her unlawful dcpredations; and
for the other Captain to step in and claim
some of the glory of the enterprise by fin
ishing the incomplete work. II Secretary
Seward will only bring to as happy an end.
the diplomatic correspondence which must
necessarily ensuc, he will deserve well of
! the country, We gave our readers few
weeks since. circnmstantial account of
the capture of the Florida. extracted from
the Boston 1drertiscr. so that no more
need be added iii that direction. But
since then we have heard from the other
side of the Atlantic, and have read the
lectures given our government by the
British press, and the terrible thrcatcnings
promised if We do not instantly make all
due reparation to Brazil. If our govern
ment has heard from the latter. the party,
and the only one Immediately interested it
has not yet transpircd. We have ne doubt
but the difficulty, if any shall arise, will be
amicably settled.
| Tie Boston Adrertiscr of November
Both, publishes long and learned commu-
nieation, giving precedent. drawn from
British history, for the capture of the
Florida in 4 neutral port. The article
gives many striking cases Of British out
rage oil neutral rights all Of which has no
bearing on the Florida ease it is true, rs
t,ro wrongs never did and never will make
one right, but they may he cited to show
that it does not lie in the mouth Of the
"Mi>;re>s If the Seas" TO Ire the first to
complain, if al Infringement has taken
place; and especially when she is not di-
rcctly interested. Amcng the cases cited
by the writer ia the -I3tertistr, who it is
reported is no less 4 LAWYER and statesman,
than The distinguished Massachusetts Sena-
. tor sumner, is thc one Of the attack Oh
the Essex in the hah"r Of Valparaiso. In
this case, British ..l.iralfy order is OK
traeted. from the columns ofNilcs' Regis'cr
/ of that day. Running ilus:
. Officers commanding British ships in
the South Seas, are commanded not to re.
, spcct any port as neutral where the Essc,
should be found" 1t is certain. saws the
writer, that the British commander actet
in the spirit of this order, in attacking til,
Essex. We cannot publish thi. articl,
from its extreme length, but will give thu
concluding points made to show that thcr,
are peculiar circumstances in this cast
which distinguish it from every other:
First. The Florida was abnormal ant
piratical in her origin and her career. an,
was little more than Il lawless gypsey o
the sea born contrary to the Law of Ma
tons, and living IN constant defiance o
that law.
Secondly. The Florida pretended to be
long to q rebel combination OF slave-mas
ter, now engaged in rebellion for the SAX,
of slavery. Though certain foreign pow
ers, including Brazil, have conceded to thi
rebel combination what are called ..bellig
erent rights" yet the extent of this con
: cesSion is undecided. OF course, it i
much less than a recognition of na:iona
independence. Every presumption mus
C be against such rebel combination, hay
:. ing such an object The indecent hast,
:. with Which 'belligerent rights" were orig
;, iually conceded cannot be forgotten on thi
II occasion; nor can we neglect the well
/ founded argument, that, in the absence O
o prize courts, belonging to the pretendc,
:, power. any such concession on the 0ceal
. was iiagrantly unjust, and, when we con
c slider its widespread consequences, 10 b,
: rcprchcnded always by our governmental
;, it must be reprehendcd by impartial histo
- w. Assuming, therefore, that the restitu
= ton of ship, belonging to an independent
" power. as to France or England, might b,
:, properly required it does not follow tia
i such a restitution should be required in
case like TIE present. or in other words
= that the United States should be expected
e to restore the Florida to be handed owe
It again to the support of slayeholding re
n bellion, and to burn more ships.
- call attention to these consideration
without expressing any final opinion upor
them. The case of koszta. forcibly takel
n by an American frigate from an Austrian
o ship of war in the territorial waters o
Turkey, shows how the conduct of GOV
. ernments is sometimes inconsistent witt
d strict law. But the present one is strong
r er than that Of <koszta.
t 1t is well understood, of course, that tn,
seizure of the Florida was wrong only Will
respect to Brazil, and not with respect t,
: the rebel enemy. There can be no de
mand. therefore. unless Brazil steps for
c ward. Whatever is done must he in hcl
+. name and at her instance. The enlight
: ened Emperor Of Brazil is Of the Ioya