Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-03-23
What the British Statesmen Got
Excited Ab0ut-Mr. SeVvard's
July IIth Dispatch.

The following is the part of Mr.. Sew
! ards note to Mr.. Adams, of July llth,
1868, which was the subject of recent dis
cussion in Parliament:
"The President thinks il not improper
70 suggest for the consideration of her
Maiesty's Government the question
whether, ON appeal 10 be made by them.
Parliament might not think it just and
expedient to amend the existing statute
in such way as to effect what the two
governments actually believe it ought now
! to accomplish. In case of such an appeal,
the President would not hesitate to apply
to Congress for an equivalent amendment
of the laws of the United States if her
Majesty's government should desire such
a proceeding, although here such an
amendment Is not deemed necessary.
If the laws of Great Britain must be
left without amendment, and be con-
strued by the government in conformity
with the rulings of the chief baron of
the exchequer, then there will be left the
United States no alternative but to pro-
tect themselves and their commerce
against armed cruisers proceeding from
British ports, as sgsinst the naval forces of
public enemy; and, also to claim and
insist upon indemnities for the injuries
which such expeditions have hitherto
committed or shall hereafter commit
against this government and the citizens
Of these United States. To this end this
government Is now preparing q naval
force with the utmost vigor; and If the
national navy, which it is rapidly crea-
ting, shall not be sufficient for the emer.
gency, then the United States must bring
into employment. such private armed
forces as the mercantile marine shall af-
ford. British ports, domestic as well as
colonial, are now open, under certain re-
strictions, to the visits of piraticsl vessels.
and not only furnish them coal, provis-
ions and repairs, but even receive their
prisoners when the enemies of the Uni
ted States come in to obtain such relief
from voyages in which they have either
burned ships they have captured, or have
even manned and armed them as pirates
and sent them abroad as auxiliaries in
the work of destruction. Can it be an oc-
casion for either surprise or complaint
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 instruc-
tions TO pursue these enemies into ports
which thus, in violation of the law of ma
tions and the obligations of neutrality,
become harbor for the pirates? The Pres
ident very distinctly perceives the risks
and hazards with naval conflict thus
maintained will bring to the commerce
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 viii probably amount to a
naval war, wsged by portion at least of
the British nation against the govern
ment and people of the United States-a
war tolerated although not declared or
avowed by the British government. II,
through the necessary employment of all
our means of national defense, such a
partial war shall become general one be-
tween the two nations, the President
thinks that the responsibility for that
painful result will not fall upon the Uni
ted States.