The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-16
London Correspondence OF Richmond
Times.


dom. His personal traits-his cheerful,
fresh, hearty disposition-not less than his
great career of usefulness in more than
half a century Of public service, endeared
him to the people of his country, and cause
them truly to mourn his loss.
Although his health has been falling for
some time past, it was only about five days
before his death that any anxiety was felt
by his friends with regard to him. He was
then attacked with severe cold, accolnpa-
MED by some Of the most scr;ons conse-
qucnces of gout, including paralysis Of the
bladder, and from these diseases sank
peacefully and calmly, but rapidly. 70 his
rest. One day more, and he would have
been clghty-one years OF age. Earl Russell,
for many reasons, Is loOkct, upon as his
probable successor as "First Minister"
Already in the Cabinet, of which he is the
senior member, representative man in
the present liberal views entertained by a
majority OF the nation, the author Of the
letters on the English side OF the recent
Confederate Cruiser Correspondence"
(thc sentiments of which letters are heartily
endorsed by ''John Bull, } it can hardly be
doubted that, upon Vic return of the
Queen from Scotland, LORD John will be
''scnt for" to buckingham Palace. And
again, his appointment would do away with
the necessity for any sweeping changes in
tho Cabinet, and of assembling Parliament
ut this very inconTenient season. Added
TO this, the British side OF the American
question would be much strengthened by
placing the statesman who has hitherto
conducted the negotiation, at the head OF
| the Government. Bv this arrangement
the leadership Of the Commons would fall
to the Chancellor of the E1chcuucr-Mr
Gladstone; and Lord Clarendon would pro-
badly be installed in the Foreign Office.
Quite stir has been created in the world
OF politics and trade by an announcement
in the Times, few days since, that Mr.
Seward, as the result Of a Cabinet discus
sion rcccntly held at Washington on the
subject, had sent despatch to Paris, to
be communicated to the French Govern
ment, in which the ''Cnited States Govern
mcnt states, i'll very decided language, that
It VIII not permit additional troops to be
sent to Mexico by Franco, and that any
further intervention in the affairs of that
country hy the Emperor of the French
may Iea'i to 4 serious misunderstanding
between the two Governments" Such a
statement, by ys,lch an authority, of course.
had immediate effect on United States Sc
cul1tles, but the subsequent statement of 4
sort Of s,.mi-o!licial denial from Washing
tom OF any recent action in Mexican affairs
served TO Iuic: matters somewhat: vet the
effect is still apparent on the stock cx-
change.
The behavior Of the people of the defeat
ed section OF the United States is much
applauded here, and the course of Presi-
dent Johnson meets with universal appro-
baton. In these things. those who think
on the subject see i solution Of the recon
strucsion problem; but thcre many who
profess not to understand why the South
ern men yielded so suddenly and SO COM
plctcly. There are they who never knew.
or If they knew, have forgotten, that with
III two months after the battle of Hastings
William, the Norman, without opposition.
was crowned King at Westminster
The holders of the rebel cotton bonds
Y =
the liability Of the United States Govern
ment, well as of the several States
which composed the Confcderacv. for their
payment. The argument as to the liability
of the United States seems to be that the
Confederacy, being = Government de
tUc!o. hal the right to contract the debt,
and pledge the cotton for its redemption.
and hence, the United States taking the
cotton as capture of war, takes it burdened
with the lien, and must either satisfy the
claim or release the property.
A. to he liability Of the individual States
the holder. Of tie bonds tla4 by reason Of
the peculiar form Of govern cnt under the
United States Constitution, secession was
not rebellion. and that, although the States
seeding violated the agreement or com
pact of that instrument, they violated no
allegiance; that whilst tho Confcdcracy
existed, its States maintained their sovc-
rcignty, and that having, in the exercise Of
such sovereignty, contracted this debt
through their legal representatives, they
are still bound for its pnyment. These
cotton bonds, | predict, will be filed as a
''set-oti7' against the claims made by Mr.
Adams for indemnity for losses by the
rebel pirates to United States citizens, and
the two together may furnish material for
diplomatic notes for some tina to GENE
Meanwhile the bonds are bought and sold
'on change, and regularly quoted III the
Of hn Stn RI
The enterprise OF London, not satisfied
by running steam trains underground"
has commenced the practice of moving
such trains by air pressure alone. The
underground" railway, proper, is simply
a gigantic tunnel passing under some Of
the greatest thoroushfares and most solid
ly and compactly built quarters of this
great city. The pneumatic tube linz is an