New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-29


the end that my Government NAV b the better enabled
10 make satisfactory reply to it, an still under the
necessity OF soliciting more Information IN regard 70
Government Is disposed to agree to consider am in
stueted to venture so far a TO ask the favor of your
Lorissp 70 distinguish we'll what among the classes
Of claims II Is willing. and what would not be willing,
to refer to the proposed Commission. Ipray &c.
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMa
Earl Russell 10 Mr.. Adams.
FOREIGN OFFICE. Oct. 10, lo6j
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt OF
letter Of the l7ih ns requesting to be informed
OF the precise nature OF the claims which Hcr Maesys
Government would be willing to refer to Commission;
and have to state TO you in reply that the inform alton
you request may take time preparation but Her
Maiestys Government will furnish It as soon az they
can consistently with the Importance Of the question
i am. &C.. RUSSELL
Earl Russell to Mr.. adams.
| FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. g. 1865.
SIR: Her Maiestys Government have duly considered
vour letter Of the 18th OF September and however I'M
willing may be to prolong this discussion. find it
absolutely necessary 10 clear up misconceptions as
tn the and conduct Of Great Britain during the
recent contest in America.
do not consider 1t incumbent upon me, however to
repeat enlarge upon my arguments in reference TO
the alleged precptate recognition Of begerent rights
or the contrast you draw between the conduct OF Her
MaiastY's Government in the late civil and that VI
France during the American War of independence.
The existence Of belligercnt rights is. as Mr.. Can
ming said, question OF fact rather than OF opinion ana
If the fact Of nsurrection is developed suddenly
treated by other nations IN different manner from the
II rebellion breaking out partially. slowly and
gradually.
nor do conceive il is necessary to point out the dit
ference between the conduct Of France acknowledging
The United States Of America independent state
and forming treaties with the Government OF that
State within two years Of the Declaration of ndepend
ence and the patient neutrality OF Great Britain. not
whs saDdiug the interruption Of her commerce. and the
immense losses suffered by her people during four years.
and until victory had declared IN favor Of the Gov
/ eru n ~.
cannot Iorbear however. to express some surprise
at the apparent confidence you express that Her
| Mnjesty's Government will acqnesce In doctrine
which the United States during more than 30 years.
declared to be opposed to the law and practice Of na
tons and that Her Maesty's Government will grant
reparaton on grounds which. when urged by Portugal
IN similar case. the United States positively, con-
rtauily and soemniy rejected.
Earl Russell then argues length the claims Of the
Portuguese Government against the United States,
which no regards important precedent as well ~
the laws Of Congress OF ISL and lss, which, he says,
proved utterly inecacious to prevent the fitting out Of
privaeers and which, moreover would not be applica-
be 10 the Alabama Florida. Georgia, Shenandoah. and
vessels OF that class. Earl Russell then continues:
Her MaIestys Government desire to be on the most
friendly terms with the United States but not pre-
pared 70 accede 10 any demand which aims at the dmi
mutton q our reeao or wscn ao,boT,v or
practice the existence Of extent VI obligation on the
part o neutras toward belgerents going bej ond any
which the Government of free country could have
power though acting with entire good faith. punctuay
| tO fulfill.
Yet IL appears to me- confess that neither the
law OF the United States nor our own Foreign Enlist
ment CT have proved upon trial completely ecacous.
IL 10 worth consideration whether improvements may
bc made In tie statutes Of both nations 40 that for
the future. each Government may have In Us own
territory much security free Institutions VII!
permit against those who act In defiance OF the inen.
iion of the Sovereign and evade the letter OF s laws
have the honor Ia nc!nse u memorandum In reeard
conduct during the American war In refer
passage In your letter Enclosure No. H. and
second memorandum showing IN what manner your
vaTons complaints during the recent civil war have
been dis posed Of Enclosure No. 2.
have In conclusion only tn repeat In this the last
letter which shall have the honor TO address to you on
this subject sincere and earnest hopes that two
countries both relieved from the stain and the guilt
Slavery may perform tseir part In the world In peace
| and goodwill am, &c, III ssEtI-
The first Memorandum appended TO the correspond
relates 10 the measures Of coercion adopted by
Great Britain during her contest with the reyolted
North American Colonies. their declaration OF inde
pendence. This Memorandum Is reply TO q letter
irom Mr. Adams dated the 18th Of September Of the
present year. Lord Russell draws from the details Of
the conduct of the Government of France during an
early period Of the war the conclusion that II was
actively hostile 10 Great Britain. and that Mr. Adams
is justified in contrasting that conduct fayoraoly
with the neutral OF Great Britain in the present
civil war between the two portions OF the American
Republic. Great Britain did not by any net of hers
confer her reyolted colonies any beieerent charao
ter, did she inforce such rights against ncutrals
On the contrary for long period she dealt with those
colonies reyolted provinces by acts of ordinary legis
laon. and by restrictions on their trade. But the
United States, within few months after the com.
mencemont of the insurrecton. conferred upon tue
Southern States begerent rights by the Proclamation
issued BY the President the 18th Of April, le6l.
establishing the blockade Of the Southern States in
Of the laws VI those States and the Laws Of
Nations In such cases provided.
Tie second Memorandum sets forth In minute detail
the steps taken by Her Mnjesty Government on every
which complaint was lodged by the American Minis.
ter These details given. by case In the order
Ia which the complaints were received beginning with
those Of the Bermuda on August II le6l and the sum.
ter September 80 Of the same year. brief sketch
Of the facts in each case Is given sometimes forming
history Of the career Of the vessel The Alabama may
be selected as sample OF the register:
Acknowledged referred to Treasury and law officers,
Laird Liverpool Law officers reported June o) that tcrs
sacent evidence to proceed but that the vessel
were INT 10 Mr. Adams July a. with suggestion that the
United States Consul At LiyerPoo should procure further
promised to act this ,usge.ton ny ~ lie sent further
deposition. accordingly July zt aud 2 and sccompansdths
s law officers reported July 2s that should be-
but the morning Of the 18th she had sailed from the Meey
upd~ pretext Of trial trip copy OF the law ohcers opn
ion sen TO the Bahamas u case Of the Alabama going
there She however proceeded to Angra bay Azores where
her commander. Capt semnes and 42 seamen She then
ho.,ei the Confederate flag and sailed for Port Royal Mar
tnaue Blanco Island belonging to Nenezue wi ere
she cosed then to Arkas Keys then destroyed the United
ship stteas of Galveston and eiward to Jamaica
where she was rcceivsd aud recognized ~ regularly eom
mi..ioned ship of war
She continued her dcpredsons the Cape Of Good Hope
and until she wasnay sunk by the United States
,hip k-aT.aTge, of Cherbourf, June ~, lt6t"
On Feb "a. 1863 four men OF the Naval Reserve hay
ing enlisted on board the Alabama their names were
struck of the list by tho Admiralty
The following is a summary Of Mr.. Adams's repre-