Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-16
niplomatic CORRESPONDENCE.

! Earl Russell, the DrltlSn fremier, On Tue SUD-
iect of the responsibility Of the British Govern
ment for the depredations Of the rebel cruisers
The chief points in issue will be seen in the fol-
lowing telegraphic summary. As remarked by
the National Lltelligeneer, the correspondence
resolves itself into the points contained in that
summary, viz; a complaint Of a precipitate
recognition of the behgerent rights Of the reb-
els; an affirmation that Englandnot only had "a
perfect right so todo, butthatin doing she was
actuated by friendly feelings towards the United
States; and general charge against England
that She did not make fitting cxertions to pre-
vent these depredations, and hence is response
bic for them and rel Under with exhibitions
of what is called proof that England has made
all the exertions in such direction which she
was bound to make. ~ .s,a
"The prospect is not favorable at present to
any agreement between the two Governments
on the main points, and an obviously, grave
question at once arises. 1t will be remembered
that Mr.. Adams as early as 1868, proposed to
refer this question to arbitration, which En-
gland declined"
lKr. adams to Earl RusSdl-BritisA RESPONSE
billy Asserted
The correspondence begins with letter from
Minister Adams, dated the 7th of April last, in
which he calls the attention of Earl Russell to
the official reports respecting the rayages OF the
Alabama, and announces that for the damages
caused by such cruisers his government cannot
avoid entailing the responsibility upon Great
Britain.
Earl RusselPs Reply--British Liability not TO
be Measured By United States loss Is
The reply of Earl Russell is dated May A.
He saws that the duties of Great Britain towards
the United States are not measured by the los
SEES which the commerce of the latter have sus-
tanned The question is simply whether the
Queens Government have faithfully and hon.
estly performed the duties which the interna-
tional laws and their own municipal laws I'M
posed upon them
Minister adams TdreS British Officials tcih
Flagraa Negligence
The reply of Mr.. Adams is dated May A.
He saws that the insurgents became belgerents
ON the ocean solely by reason of the facilities
furnished in her Maiesty's ports for them to do
so. He complains of the secret sympathy of
her Majesty's officers in the port OF Liverpool,
and contends that after the information which
he supplied respecting the Alabama, 1t was by
the fragrant negligence of Her Majesty Board
of Customs that this vessel, admitted to be IN
tended for war purposes, was suffered to depart
from Liverpool,
Three Months CbnSiderdtion-Russu Refuses
Arbitration and Suggests Commission.
An interval of three months elapsed between
the above letter and Earl RusSell's reply to it.
In response Earl Russell proceeds to justify
the course Of her Majesty's Government in re-
cognizing the belligerents, andre aso1sare given
why there was extreme difficulty in giving or
ders to exclude from British ports vessels-of-
war partly fitted up in the United Kingdom.
A very important point is referred to in this
letter. Earl Russell notices statement in
letter from Mr.. Adams, in 1868, as to the Gov
ernment Of Washington being ready to refer
these disputes to arbitration.
Earl Russell declines this offer, and says it is
aquestion. in the first place, whether the Queens
Government have acted in good faith in MAIN
tanning their neutrality, and in the second place
whether the Law Officers of the Crown have
correctly interpreted British statute.
Earl Russell continues "The Queens Gov
eminent can refer neither Of the questions to ar
bitration." The words used by him arc as fol-
lows: "Her Majesty's Government are the sole
guardians of her own honor They cannot adj
NIT they have acted with bad faith in maintain
ing the neutrality they protested. The Law
Officers of the Crown must be held to be better
Interpreters of British statute than any for
eign Government can be presumed to be. Her
Majestys Government must therefore decline 10
make repardtiOn and compensation for captures
made by the AlaLama, or 10 refer Tie question to
any foreign State. Her Majesty's Government
conceive that if they were to act otherwise they
would endanger the position of neutrals in all
future wars. Her Majesty's Government are,
however, ready to consent 10 The appointment Of
a commission to chici shall bercfe1red all claims
arising d,UiRg the late Girl lcar lchich the t,co
Porers shall agree to refer to the commission
Mr.. adams Rejoinder-The Difficulty Grors
Serious.
The reply Of Mr.. Adams is dated the 18th of
September, and is reTy seriOds ia its tone.
Mr.. Adams col siders that there is now no
dispute as to the fact that the recognition of the
South as belligerents, was such an act as raS
Rerer done By one nation to,radS another an a
state Of dmity. He charges the British Gov
ernment with having acted wdtom kRowledge
and upon mere presumption in assuming that
the evidence of the blockade of the Southern
ports was imperfect. The blockade, he said,
lcas the consequence not the cause, Of British
policy He thinks that the only excuse for the
British Government is that its conduct was pre-
cipitate. He then intimates that If the doctrines
and practices Of the British Government are a.
lo,red to become the rule, the United States riR
not be he greatest losers thereby.
Mr. Adams docs not appear to think that the
proposal of Earl Russell to refer the questions
in dispute to a commission will be accepted by
the United States Government.
CORRECTION OF An ABUsE.-The following