The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-28

In the mousse OF commons, On Tue =Olu, SL
G Walsh asked lord Palmerston whether the
government. had received from the United
States any formal official demand for compensa
ton to American subjects for losses sustained
| by the Alabama or any other Confederate cruis
er alleged to have been equipped in British
ports
! Lord Palmerston said the correspondence had
been going on for some time between the TWO
governments on the prizes taken by the Ala
bama and other vessels of the same kind
There had been received within few days fur
Their correspondence on the subject through Mr..
Adams, but there had not been time to reply.
He might add that in the correspondence in
which each government had stated its views OF
the case, the question had been discussed in the
most friendly and amicable terms.
Mr. Baxter asked lord Palmerston whether,
in looking at the changed aspect of affairs IN
America, her majesty's government, either
separately or in convention, or in conjunction
with that Of the United States, would consider
the question OF sending a squadron to the coast
OF Cuba to effectually close the slave trade
lord Palmerston said twelve months ago the
government invited the government OF the
United States to participate IN It's measures on
the west coast of Africa, but difficulties arose
on the account of neutral and belllgerent rights
which could not be overcome, but IN the present
altered state OF affairs her majesty government
had renewed the application 10 the Chlteu
States. stating that their cruisers employed III
that service would be received with every priVl-
lepe and courtesy which belonged to a friendly
nation and that the former difficulties no lon
rer existed. No representation has been made
as to cooperation on the Cuba coast, but if they
sssented 10 cooperate on the African coast, he
had no doubt they would cordially cooperate
on the coast Of Cuba.
The London Times, in an editorial trusts
there is nothing in the Alabama affair which
need cause apprehensions of a rupture, either
now or any future time. The American com
mercial marine has suffered, but such calamity
must be expected when a maritime and trading
State enters into a contest with an energetic
and active enemy 1t is with clear conscience
that the government which declined invitation
to Interfere in the war, even by offers Of media
ton, now stands on its legal rights, aud refuses
to make any compensation where it has done no
wrong.
The London Daily News hopes that if presi-
dent johnson Goes not intend to give up the
claim he will soon prefer it, so that one way or
another the matter may be brught to a settle
ment. 1t adds: Lord Palmerston's reply last
evening was very unsatisfactory. 1t would have
been very easy to say formal and official demand
had been made by the United States govern
ment, or that it had not.
The News trusts that some member of par
lament will insist on knowing whether the de-
mand has been made for idemnity, and whether
any new demands have been made since presi-
dent Johnson's accession to power, and adds:
We have not the slightest doubt as to the inevi-
table reply
The correspondence of the London Morning
Post says; The correspondence can lead to only
one result, namely, an unconditional refusal on
our part to indemnify the Americans for losses
occasionally the chances of war.
The Times, in an editorial on these claims,
says; Not single precedent can be produced,
we believe, for the allowance Of similar claim
under similar circumstances and no rule of ma
tonal justice enjoins US to pay for the mischief
done by the Alabama.
The Times questions whether the American
government did its duty with adequate yigor
against these priyateers, and says 1t was doubt
less our part to prevent the Alabama and her
from putting to sea, if due evidence OF
their warlike equipment could be obtained but
whose part was it to capture them after they
had given US the slip? e the United States
preferred to employ all its available fleet in
the enemy's ports, leaving US to
guard every outlet of our own as best we could, |
surely it would be somewhat unreasonable, as
well as untenabe in law, to hold us liable for |
every case in which the Confederate agents were
too quick for US.
For those british subject who did all in their
power to thwart the honorable intentions of the
government we have not a word to say; but
their acts were not the acts of the nation, which
has suffered far more than individuals have |
gained by the untoward escape of the Alabama
The news of the capture of jeff. Davis crea
ted some senation, and anxiety and hope was
generally expressed that he would be treated in
40 yindictive spirit.