Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-01
THE CASE OF THE FLORIDA.

THE CASE OF THE FLORIDA.
We are sure that every reader will concur with
the New York Evening Post in its expression of
the hope that the President will at once cause the
most exact and earnest investigation to be institut-
cd into the circumstances under which the Florida
has been recently sunk. Our contemporary says
As the despatch now reads the incident has an equiyo
cal aspect Should turn out that her destruction
ordered by in the employ of the Government in
order to get rid of Of international law
know Of no punishment too to be melted out to
the wreches who could net upon national reputation
dsgrsce mean.
Even if the accident was the result of careessness,
this negligence becomes under the circumstances equiva
lent TO crime. Our with the Florida, up to this
time has been that Of trustees guardians She
seized by Us, but she not property she was in
hands but only trust to be sacredly preserved
until the courts should decide upon the Justice of her
ture the necessity of her restoration That any mischief
should happen to her while thus under 10 too
grave misfortune to be lightly regarded. Such acci
and the natlon and better afford to build Jefer
Davis feet of Fordas than tolerate any thing which
degrades character for the srctest prob in
slight degree.
ut may be, as morning journal suggests that some
overzeaous transport captain has thought to cut knot
which best and easiest united II So let him
the punishment he merits and let him become warning
hereafter to all mapots and shalowbans to keep out OF
what they do not understand Meantime, of course the
argument regarding the Florida must 60 just though
she were still floating in Hampton Roads 1t must be set
tied between the Brazilian Government and what
right and just In the premises and whatever appears to
be our duty when that decision is reached let all the
world believe will be done good faith-f we have to
build new Florida and send her to Bahia.
VI course our enemies abroad will exclaim that the
sinking OF the Florida is only another Yankee trick and
will refuse to believe that it accident which
sent her to the bottom Such people apt to Judge 9th
by themselves. But if it were trick, it would be
in reality Yankee trick which has commonly the
merit of sagacty, but such laundering piece Of smart
that Of the countryman who sawed off branch
upon which he sitting, between himself and tho tree
and brought his body uncomfotaby to the ground For
20 far as the facts known the Of the Florida
OF such nature that privateerng interests, in
any future war; would be immensely benefited the pre-
cedent Of surrenderng her the demand of Brazil
1t might have been supposed that hrewd long headed
navy officer seized her. only 10 order that her surrender
might establish precedent of peculiar importance to us
That would have been apt piece of Yankee cunning
but wfu destruction of the ship under existing crcum
believe that any connected with the public service
could be guilty OF it. But this must be made clear to the
world.
LET us repeat the hope therefore that an instant and
scrutiny will be ordered by the President into all
the circumstances Of this affair If it Unavoidable
alleged the fact should be made to appear upon the
most ndubitable evidence If it not unavoidable,
the enemies of the nation will assert the Government
should clear the public skirts quickly possible Mr.
Lincons own instincts of honesty and candor too i'm
peratve to allow him to neglect postpone matter
These views are entirely just and proper, whe-
ther regard be had to the law or to considerations
of mere expediency in the matter. The national
--ih must be preserved not only from a wound,
W. from the stain of suspicion. If the Florida
had been prize vessel taken by the Wachusett
in legitimate and ordinary way, she would have
been held by us, as the Post suggests, subject to
the award Of the judicial proceedings set on foot
for her condemnation. But in fact the case OF the
Florida, owing to the circumstances of her capture,
enters at once into the domain Of diplomacy, and
presents An issue which, delicate, at the best, is
likely to be complicated by her destruction, unless
1t can be clearly demonstrated that her destruction
was accidental. If it was the work of some super
serviceable captain Of transport, more intent on
reaching certain end than scrupulous Of the
means employed for accomplishing his object, it is
due to the Government that all completely with
his reckessness should be disavowed, and that his
conduct should receive the condign punishment it
deserves We do not doubt that the ordinary re-
sorts Of diplomacy will be adequate to dispose ami
esbly of the complication which has arisen between
our Government and that of Brazil, growing out
Of the violation done to the neutrality of the lat
ter. We observe that some writers are indus
triously citing from British history certain prece-
dents which, if they do not justify the seizure Of
the Florida on grounds Of strict law, are at least
sufficient, it is supposed, to bring that incident
within the category of cases where strict law is
modified BY consideration, Of necessity or policy
We do not need to say that all such prccedents
might better be cited for avoidance than for OBJ.
servance.