Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-01

From files by the Australasan, that left Liverpool
on the 18th December, we make the following ex-
tracts:
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE IN ENGLAND.
from the London Times, December l6.
The massage in President Johnson's message
which especiallv concerns this country ought, we
think 10 be accepted in a friendly spirit. He could
not do less than review the history OF the Alabama
claims; and in reviewing them he could hardly say
less at least TO an American Congress, than he has
said There are. however, some things which the
President did not say, and which are, nevertheless
very material No one can deny, for instance that
the accordance of beligerent rights TO the insur
gents was unprecedented" Lord Russell admitted
as much in his correspondence with Mr.. Adams ;
but the question is whether the civil war was not
unprecedented too whether the United States did
not assert bellgerent rights, without consulting pre-
cedents by declaring blockade; and whether
neutral State could do otherwise than follow their
example. Further, it Is perfectly true, as matter
of fact that England furnished more efficient aid
to the Confederates than any other power 1t could
not be otherwise, considering that Engand,lOf all
maritime countries, lies nearest TO America, and pos
sesses the largest private docks IN the world; 1t Is
equally true that being also the best market for arms
and ammunition, she contributed more than any
other nation to the suppression of the rebellion
Again it is an undoubted fact that cruisers built
though not equipped, in our ports drove American
commerce from the seas and transferred it" TO neu
trail bottoms; nor can we be surprised that some
confusion should have existed, in the minds of the
merchants who suffered thereby. between this con-
sequence and the motives of government II
should have been remembered, however, even by
those who were least disposed to rely on our good
faith that in this respect the interests of our ship
owners opposed to those OF every other class IN
the community. Liverpool does not dictate our ma
tional policy to the exclusion of Manchester and the
great manufacturing districts, which lost far more
by the continuance of the war than was ever
gained by our mercantile marine. We ought
not therefore, to be suspected OF tavorng the crea-
ton of a Confederate Navy on selfish grounds and
the failure of our Government to prevent evasons of
our law in one rtwO ought not TO be recorded
without some recognition of its successful interven
ton on other occasions. The advocates of the Con-
ederate States have never ceased to protest against
the oppressive construction they alege, which the
law officers of the Crown fastened upon the Foreign
Enlistment Act, and the embargo laid upon the two
iron-cad rams was certainly an arbitrary exercise
of Executive authority. These considerations should
not be forgotten, even in America, and the conduct
of Great Britain during period OF unparalleled diff
fculty should be measured not by the losses in
hcted on American trade, but by the duties of neu
trality.
Mr.. johnson does no more than justice in attribu-
ting TO us the earnest desire for peace which he
Processes himself. Even when the causes of mutual
evaporation were at their height there never was
war party in this country. There were those who
feared that might be forced upon us as dire ne
cessty but there Were none who deliberately con-
templated that contingency without horror.
The London Dolly Ne1cS, of December l6 re-
marks: president JOhnsOn's references in his mes
sage to the relations of his government with foreign
Powers appear to have been friendly in their tone
and intention. The Alabama claims make, as was
to be expected, a great figure in his address, aud
the case is urged from an American point OF view
with much tenacity. Mr.. johnson announces that
his government has declined Earl RusseIs proposal
tIa nla liph tIn ttrp
governments make upon one another. He appears
also. from the telegram, to have declined Earl Rus
sells suggestion 10 provide for future contingencies
by legislation; observing that 1.-The future friendship
of the two countries must rest on the basis OF mutual
iustice"-a proposition unquestionably true, but one
which suggests no reason for declining to provide
each government with the best means OF dong JUS
tice.
The Morning Post remarks: 1.-The tone OF the
message justihes us in presumng that the American
Government are DESTROYS of keeping on good terms
with those whom they acknowledge to be their
friends"
The Telegraph declares the document reflects the
highest credit upon its author that it furnishes the
world with satisfactory auguries of peace and that
it illustrates spirit OF manly, straightforward non
esty and fair play.
The London Morning Herald is silent upon the
subject
The London Standard says that though the mes
sage may not be all that it could be wished it is as
moderate and satisfactory as could be reasonably
expected or hoped. That the President should treat
England with injustice and anger was to be taken
for granted.
MISCELLANEOUS.
On the night of the 18th, the mail steamer Sam
phire while crossing from Dover to Calais, was run
into by the American bark Fanny Buck, Of Boston,
bound from Rotterdam to Cardiff The steamer was
struck in the fore compartment, which Immediately
filled, and gentleman and two ladies were drown
ed in the fore cabin. The rest of the passengers
among whom was Prince Christian Of Augustenburg,
the betrothed husband OfPrinceSs Helena were saved
and the damaged steamer was towed to Dover by
a Belgian mail steamer The Fanny Buck was also
tOwed into Dover with the loss of her stern and cut
water.
It is announced that Sir John ROmilly, Master OF
tho Rolls, and Sir Francis Barring, who has filled
various ministerial offices, are to be raised to the
dignity of the peerage.
Earl Russell has quite recovered from HIS ndiposi-
ton.
The King and Queen of Portugal had arrived in
England on visit to Queen Victoria.
Among the passengers who sailed from Southamp-
ton for New York in the SaXOnia were the groom
and his wife-the daughter of clergyman, whose
elOpement and marriage short time ago attracted
SO much attention.
The notorious Yelyerton case is not yet finally
disposed of, Miss lOngwOrth Nlrs. lelyerton)
having given notice of her intention to move
for new trial of her case against the Saturday
ReuicW.
The cattle disease continues to increase, The
official return for the week gives the number oil
cases at 1856, being 1923 in excess of the previous
weekr
A conference at which number Of agricultural
societies were represented, was held in London on
the subject of the cattle plague. Resolutions were
passed calling upon the Government to adopt
more stringent measures for arresting the progress
of the maady, and urging the formation OF a
national assurance company with State guar
antee.