The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
BRITISH NEUTRALITY.

In April, 1854, Mr.. SEWARD wrote to
Mr.. ADAMS:
had the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your despatch of April 8, No GAG, with its
compliments, namely, copy of articles of as
ISOLATION for the organization of joint stock
company, whose object is to carry supplies
from British ports to the Insurgents, under a
contract with the insurgeut cabal at Richmond.
The project appears quite pretentious on pa
per, and doubtless it is sufficient to require
preparations to defeat it by our naval forces
These forces are now being vigorously aug
mented. The movements of our military and
naval forces are likely to cause some new en-
barrassments to the schemes which these
shameless Confederates do not now appear to
have anticipated.
l am DESTROYS not TO multiply unnecessary
complaints to Her Majesty's government.
Those which have already been presented are
sufficient to render the relations between Great
Britain and the United States uncomfortable
Nevertheless, 1 do not think this new comb.
nation ought to be allowed to 60 into activity
without remonstrance 1t is fagrantly incom-
patible with the neutrality which her Majestys
government have proclaimed, and it is directly
subversiye of peace and amity between the
two countries. 1t obliges the United States,
for purposes of selfdefence, to impose restric-
lions upon trade with Great Britain and with
her colonies. 1t sets precedent for maritime
nations which must be of evil effect. In this
respect its consequences are incalculable if Eu-
rope is destined to become involved in any gen.
eral war. Submitting TO your discretion all
questions of time, of form and of language,
the President expects you to remOnstrate with
her Majesty's government upon the subject.
There is also an extended correspondence
relating to the Chesapeake piracy, the
case of the Alexandria, and the question
of the blockade-running.
On the Sth of April, 1864, Mr.. ADAMS
wrote to Mr.. SEWARD that the British
government had been completely baff1ed
in its honest effort to prevent breach OF
neutrality in tile case of the Alexandra.
On the 22d of April Mr.. SEWARD replied
in long letter containing the following
passages:
THE FEELING CONCERNING FOREIGN INTERVIEW
TION.
Our civil war has endured for three
years. 1t has necessarily brought up many IT.
ritating and perplexing questions between the
two countries. think it would be safe to say
that no belligerent state ever bore itself more
subjects committed so many injuries and prov
ocatlons than we have done towards Great
Britain. think it eqally clear that no neutral
power was ever more unyielding and more ex-
acting toward belligerent than Great Britain
has been toward the United States. Your in
ference from this condition of things is, that
thus government must apply itself with the
greatest possible energy to bring the civil war
to speedy and triumphant Conclusion. or
else it may have reason to expect confiict with
Great Britain and with her allies.
While, however, we accept this wise counsel
ltwould be unjust on my part toward the Trea'
sury. War and Navy Departments If were To
Wltnhold the expression of thorou0h and
deliberate conviction that the war Ia condnctaS
with all the energy and skill which anv admin.
lstration OF the United States, in their o;rcn,o-
stances, could command. The conf',ct :. -
deed great one, and the ideas and interests s
winch sustain the parties engaged in # rondor
1t fierce and obstinate. We must the-efs-s
accept the case as it is-a case Of severe doroos'
TIC trial, with continual danger of foreion int.
vent1on. We have before us but one l;no -
duty; that Is, the way of perseverance. T. -
the course We have pursued hitherto. Il MI; N
save Us now, unless we are to be lost VIII
That this nation can be lost is a conclns;o,
that neither our virtue, nor our patriotism. nor
even our reason can accept Iwill not saw hovu
great our confidence in the opening camnaior
is. Events are 60 near that we can more Wiselv
wait for them than anticipate them. Nor can
we prudently forget that of all human transac.
tons those of war are in their seouence The
most uncertain and capricious although the
ultimate results are subject of political calcu.