Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-02-04
Mr.. ADAMS TO EARL RUSSELL.
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

to Its Intentions, had 1t any 10 obtaining such ships
In the notes which have the honor to address to your
lordship the IL tn OF July aud l4h of August, l
believe stated the Importance attached by my Gov
eminent to the decision involved in this with sui
! fcient disuctpess Since that date | have had the
opportunity to receive from the Uated States full
appreciation of its contents. AT the same time | feel
it my painful duty to make known to your tordship
that IN some respects it has fallen short in expressing
the earnestness with which have been in the interval
directed to describe the grave nature of the situation
in which both countries must be placed in the event OF
an act of aggression committed against the Govern
ment and people of the United States by either Of
these formidable vessels
pray your lordship to accept the of the
| highest consideration with which have the honor to
be, my lord your most obedient servant,
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
| Right Honorable Earl Russell, &C., &c.
EARL RUSSELL TO Mr. ADAMS.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Sept. 8, 1868.
Lord Russe presents his compliments to MIR. Adams,
and has the honor to inform him that instructions have
been issued which will prevent the depar of the two
iron.clad vessels from Liverpool.
THE FITTING OUT OF THE ALEXANDRA.
! MR.. SEWARD TO ADAMS.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, =
| Washington, July 18th, 1868
Sir-Y our dispatch OF the 26th of June mo. 1889
has been received together with three paper books con
tanning report OF the trial of the Alexandra.
If the law of Great Britain must be left without
amendment, and be construed by the Government IN
conformity with the rulings OF the Chief Baron of the
Excheuuer then there will be left for the ned States
40 alternative bat to protect themselves and their com
merce against armed cruisers proceeding from British
ports against the naval forces OF public enemy
aod also to claim and insist upon indemnites for the III
iuries which all such expeditions have hitherto commit
ted or shall hereafter commit against this Government
and the citizens of the United States To this end ths
G 1vernment is preparing naval force with the
utmost ygor and if the national navy which it is
hall thp
CIV then the United States must bring into employment
such private armed naval forces the mercantile
rine shall afford British ports, domestic we'll CO.
lonia open under certain restrictions, to the
visits of pratcal vessels and not only furnish them
with Goals provisions, and repairs, but even receive
their prisoners when the enemies OF the nlted States
come in to obtain such relief from voyages which they
have either burned ships which they have captured,
have even manned and armed them pirates and sent
them abroad as auxiaries the work odestrucon Gan
it be an occasion for either surprise plant that
this condition of things is to remain and receive the de-
berate sanction Of the British Government the navy
of the United States will receive Instructions to pursue
these enemies into the port which thus, in violation OF
the law of nations and the obligations OF neutrality be-
come har bors for the pirates? The President very dis
tnctly perceves the risks and hazards which naval
conflict thus maintained will bring to the commerce,
and even to the peace, of the two countries But he is
Obliged to consider taat in the supposed the de-
struct0n of our commerce will probably amount to a
naval war waged by portion, at least OF the British
nation upon the Government and people OF the United
States-a war tolerated, although not declared. or
ayoyed by the British Government. If through the
necessary empoym mt of all means of national de-
fence such partial shall become general one
between the two nations the President thinks that the
responsibility for that painful reault will not fall upon
the United States
| ENGLAND RESPONSIBILITY.
| Ea1L Russell to Dir. adams.
/ FoREIGN OFFICE, Sept. II 1868.
sr-I have received your letter of the 9th inst and
have read it with great regret.
It has been the aim of the Government OF Great Bri-
tain to maintain strict neutrality between the parties
who for two years have carried on civil of unusu-
al extent and loss of life on the continent of North
America.
succeeded IN this impartial course If they have been
unable to prevent some violations of neutrality on the
part of the Queens subjects, the cause has been that
Great Britain ia country which rs governed by den
hte laws and is not subject to arbitrary will. But
law ss you well aware Is enforced here, as IN tie
United States, by independent courts OF Justice which
will moi admit assertion for proof conjecture fol
certainty.
In the case still pending of the iron clad steam rams
at Birkenhead, Mr.. Seward; with his knowledge and
perspicuitY OF Judgment cannot fail to acknowledge tha
it was necessary show not only that these vessels
were built and equipped for purposes OF war; but also
that they were intended Tor the socaled Confederate
States.
With a view to complete the evidence on this heaC
it was material prove that the iron clads were no
intended for the French Government, or for the Pacha
of Egypt. W it'll respect to tie French Government,
Her Majestys Government have received upon rq4i
ry assurances through Earl Cow!ey aud the Marquis
Galore, that the FreaCh Government have nothing tC
do with the Brkenhead ron-cads.
In respect to the Egyptian GoverDment, it was onIy
on the 5h instant that Her Majesy's G0vernm Mt re-
ceived dispatch from Mr.. Coiquohon, Her Majesty
Consul Geoera in Egypt, when is conclusive 90 TIL;
subject
D Ismail Pacha refused to purchase these vasseIa,
From this example, and that OF the vessels built tJ
the Emperor of China, whose alleged all oye
the United States to be sham to the rea
destination of the vessels the President wall g4her hO
necessary it is to be dspasonae and Careful in
res and statements upon subjects involving such grea
Interests and affecting the good faith and character
| a Power SO honorable Great Brttain
These matters will doubt, be duly and dispersion
ateIy considered by the GovTnmeat at Washington
!, however they may have been understood in London.
deem it right however, TO observe tnat The ques
tion issue between yourself and her MaJea:ys Gov
eminent relates to two separate aud distinct matters
the general international duties OF neutrality, AID "a
municipal law Aoi tie United Kingdom WITH rtgar
TO the general dulles neutral according ioern
tions1 law, the doctrine has cten laid dowu pea
eddy by Presidents aud Judges of emneuce of the U0
ted States and that doctrine is that neutral may sc
1t to either or both OF two bellgerent parties any mPi
it ments or munitions of war which such beligerens ma
wish to purchase from The subjects of the neutral