The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-24


The stock market improved yesterday, - closed
buoyans Governments were heavy Gold closed steady
at 140.
There was but little change in the markets yesterday
though rs general thing there rather more firm
Foreign goods were quiet Domestic produce was
irregular. Cotton in good demand at full prices
Petroleum was quiet; refined lower but crudc was
hrmer On Change -four was somewhat higher Wheat
and corn werc also Grmcr. Pork was irregular. Lard
was moro active and nrmer whiskcy steady.
Important from England-Our Claims
ON the British Government.
By the steamship Hibernian, which arrived
at Father Point yesterday, we have received
important information affecting our future
relations with Great Britain. On the 7th of
April last Mr.. Adams, our Minister IN London,
wrote to Earl Russell, intimating in diploma
tic language that the Washington Cabinet
held England responsible for the damage done
by the Alabama and her piratical companions.
On May the 4th nearly month afterwards,
Earl Russell CURLY replied that British lia-
bility could not be measured by United States
loss, and that the real and only question
was whether the British government had
faithfully and honestly performed their duty
as neutrals The same day Mr.. Adams
rejoincd that the insurgent States became
belligerents at sea solely BY reason Of vessels
furnished them by England, and he charged the
Custom House officials Of Liverpool with ia
grant negligence in permitting the Alabama 70
escape.
Three months passed without any reply from
the British Foreign Once. At the end Of that
time Earl Russell addressed to Mr.. Adams
despatch Qualifying the conduct Of his govern
mont and declining the offer Of arbitration
which had previously been made by Mr.. Sow
Russell) must be held TO be better interpreters
Of British statutes than any foreign government
can be presumed TO be. Her Majesty's govern
ment must therefore decline TO mako repara-
ton or compensation for captures made by the
Alabama or 10 refer the question to any foreign
State"
In place OF the arbitration thus rejected the
British Foreign Secretary proposed commits
sion Of inquiry. Our Minister, his backbone
stiilening as the negotiations grew more on
tangled, answered that he did not believe this
alternative would be acceptable to his govern
mcnt, and he added that the recognition of the
South AZ belligercnts by England twas such
An act as was never before done by one ma
ton to another in state Of amity," and thai
the blockade OF Southern ports was athe con-
sequence, not the cause, Of British policy"
AT This stage tho correspondence stops; but
somewhat remarkable circumstance now
comes 70 light II was exactly .. this pc
Rod that London Journal supposed
70 have exclusive sources OF information,
announced that the negotiations respect
ing the Alabama claims had reached q criu-
cal and unpleasant stage. The government
being questioned on the subject utterly denied
that such was The case. Lord Palmerston as-
surcd the House Of Commons that the question
was being discussed ain tho most friendly and
amicable terms;" and Mr.. Laysrd, his Under
Secretary for Foreign A6Airs, went further, and
said that no new claim had been made since
Prcsident Johnson,a acoeasion In mower Hov
FIR these assertions were sincere may be
judged from the fact that the publication Of
the correspondence has called forth openly
expressed Ssan nom portion Of shs British
press of . hostile rupture with this country.
The latest phase which shs dinlculty has AZ
sumsd may BE- gathered from Mr.. Stewards 10
cent speech 81 Auburn, in which he said
"The discussion Of these claims involves prln-
ciples essential 10 the independence Of States
and harmony among the nations. believe
that the President will conduct this part Of our
Affairs in such manner - 10 yield and ne
cover indemnities justly due, without any COM
promise Of the national dignity and honor"
According TO this Mr.. Seward evidently means
TO insist upon arbitration. An the matter at
present stands, portion Of the British press
openly express their fears Of hostile rupture
With this county,.