Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-02-24

The other subject to which the noble earl re-
ierrei il very difficult one. It g one which Il
the subject Of constant almost daily DISPUTE, and
contest and which should scarcely notice were
It not that the noble earl has hardly done Justice
90 the two parties o. The dispute sni has not
sufficiently AlloWei for the irritation which r-e-
walls IN the United States. Now what think Is
unjust on the part u the Government and Of the
Congress 81 the United States with re-.-l d. 7r,r
selves = this, that they seen % expect. no. only
that We should DO every thing which the law Of
nations demands and which the municipsI laws
% this country enable rs % DO, but they seem 10
expect that we should altogether be able 10 pre-
vent any aid beng given q their euemies-to the
Confederate. Now, Her Maiesty's Government
have used every means from time 10 time % pre-
vent VAT being carried on from this country As
a basis against the United States OF America
which are IN peaceful relations Nth Her Majesty
but II the same time il has been imposs lie ~
prevent acts which have caused. and I think
naturally caused, great irritation 10 Americs
We have had ships fitted out here which have
aiterWard been sent great distances, aud there
received their ornaments and provisions. and
then been employed TO prey upon he commerce
o. the United States. We had correspondenee in
our hands which showed that Confederate al cents
were continually employed either in building
shlls IN this country, or in buying merchant
ships which might aiterWard be sent 10 France
snd thence 90 other stations, where they might
be htted out as cruisers against the commerce If
the United States Now, I do saw that. in fair
ness, when the authorities Of the United States see
q number Of ships that come in some way or other
IRON English ports and English rivers. and that
these ships are afterwards fitted out As men Of
"ar' ana that their commerce suffers very griev-
'lsly rom 1T do say It 10 natural that thew
should feel irritation. But they ought n the
same time certainly to ask this ouestion-wbetb-
er Her Malesty's Government have done every
thing which the law Of nations authorizes ami
the municipal law Of tits country permits to |
prevent this country being made the basis Of
"ariike operations, so as TO involve Us in a war
against the United States. | DO not feel Al all /
surprised that the Government OF the United 4
States should be annoyed and feel deeplv tina, /
those who are the friends Of those States sbonlJ |
have their territories made the basis of ibese
operations
30. again. with regard 10 Canada The
noble earl seems to imagine that the
United States, without any reason Whatever
'ut from mere hostility. as he callei
l. against this country, had denounced that
,seiul convention with regard 10 the lakes. But
ne case was tins The Confederate Government
pparently determined, if possible, to involve this
ouh'ty IN war, and finding their own resources
OF suincieht TO carry on successful war, sent
ersons into the lakes, which are not in the Con
,derate territory, but which belong either 10 tho
nited States or to the United Kingdom of Great
ritain-they sent agents into those territories 10
ne ships that we're navigating the lakes. with
view TO take possession by force Of meu-of- war
hd other ships belonging TO the United States
M 10 SCI free prisoners Of war IN those States
y again III Is not wonderful that the UniteiStates
'hslnefihg the canadian lakes the possession ofa
Nerelgn friendly 10 them should he indirn.r,
hen they found that operations OF war were Carl
on IN those lakes. Well, they adopted a uoIo
Inch again | think was not unnatural. Tbev
'hat u they remain in those lakes without q
nothing but unarmed ships- $
e oonieierates VIII seize those ships and mako i
IT upon the Canadian lakes. Ii Is verv a
illIuI ming, ana a matter which may become $
"seiUus 10 'he United States and Great Brit 4
D. ,hey are oolgei 70 put an end to or 10 a
spehd That convention which has been so usa- O
IN contributing to the peace Of ,bs e. 4
intres' but, at the same time, | cannot e,
ct that the United States should ever ner,n;, A
II war should be made against them on The .
Is ana that they should have no means ~ c.
ence- for my own part. think that the ii
states-it may be natural on their "
u ou' 'nink That the attempt TO make the
nadian soil the basis Of operations, some of N
IN perhaps OF character that may be bellir- n
nt' nut others more resembling the robbery in
murder which take place in social life-tb.t nj
lna' attempt they do what is most unjust and
'ust that her majesty's government will h.
=, n 'hey have proposed to the Canadian
iiAment, to preserve the neutrality of her
es'y as 1t has been hitherto preserved.
1ari Russell continued by justifying the
OF the British government in giving the >
iiederaey belligerent status, and repell. q
the notion that the United States govern
1t could rightfully set up any claim on
British government; for damages done by u
Alabama and other rebel vessels and st
d hs