The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-12-16
rrom the New York Commercial Advertiser
Our Claims on England.

The English papers are largely occupied with tue
discussion of the voluminous correspondence between
Mr.. Adams and Earl Russell, on the demand OF the
United States Government for indemnity tor the losses
sustained by the Confederate war ships equipped IN
British ports. They are nearly unanimous IN sus-
tanning Earl Russell's point blank refusal to make
any reparation, and their tone is somewhat ominous
of the continuance of peaceful relations, in view OF
Secretary Stewards recent declaration TO the effect
that the President was fully determined upon obtain
ing redress for the outrages inflicted upon our COM
merce by the -4iQbama, Shenandoah and her mates.
Upon this subject MIR. Seward seems to be entirely
consistent with his record. During the early stages
Of the war he distinctly informed Earl Russell that
the United States would never forego their claim Tor
indemnity, and the subject has not since been per-
mitted to drop. Our Government is new engaged IN
collecting the evidences of claims by individual sui
ferers, and the account will soon be made out ana
duly presented. The question of its payment Is az.
Stunning q shape that demands equal forbearance anu
wisdom on our part, in order 10 avoid any uDnecess-
airy irritating topics, without In any way aoatlhgonr
Just claims fer indemnity.
Public opinion on this side of the Atlantic will as
unanimously support Mr.. Seward in pressing his
claims, as II appears to sustain Earl Russell on the
other side in rejecting them. The result Is oy no
means free from an anxiety which is enhanced Dy ,he
official announcement in the London Times that II wouli 20
inconsistent with the position of her Majesty government "
include M demand nr rei,Ira nn 80 %, Md cornp,ission
for the settlement of claims arising from the civil war; This
reason to believe that, il the Commission Should De apP"uto',
consi5arati9n Of claims. which constitute the chief argument for
holding the Commission. War ia a ba-barous ana aus s
tory mode Of settling disputes, and the United states ana Eng
land are tco powerful and too civilized to resort to mere physl-
cal force to settle a question that should be only aeo'ueu uP'"
the immutable principles OF justice. ;,
If i. is not to our honor to fOrego onr claims to indemnity, IL
Is not to the interest of England to resist them. lie: the con-
duct Of England in reference to fitting out war ships Tor inc o .
funct Confederacy be once established as a principle oil ntefna,
tional law. and the ships Of no nation would be Al upon ,Ws
ocean. Upon This point the United States occupy an aaNancea
position among the nations. The position OF England would
authorize. upon the first gun being fired Tor the new IT'S
Republic, . the fitting out of cruisers in every American p'f'"
sail under the Fenian flag.
In the meantime. it is satisfactory to know that the nego,Is
tons upon our side are in good hands. Even the Enghsh pa
pers corcede TO Mr.. Adams the highest praise ior IN aisoret."
and ability manifested by him throughout all his dlfhcnit iee
tions between the two countries arising from this AMI othe
events of the civil war. Charles Francis Adams 10 q ~orlh,
descendant of the old and better school OF American atesine
and has added to the renown Of an already INDUSTRIOUS ame =
his admirable course throughout these arduous INC unhcu'
negotiations. We have faith, in spite OF appearances % .H
contrary, that he viii push them to a satisfactory ana peaee'
conclusion.