Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-02-07
OUR CONTROVERSY WITH GREAT BRIT
AIN,

OUR CONTROVERSY WITH GREAT BRIT.
AIN,
Much uncasiness pervades the public
mind, and much apprehension is expires
sed, growing cut Of the issue presented in
the published correspondence of Earl Rms
sell aud Mr. A lams on the subject of the
claim of ihe United States and American
citizens against Great Britain, owing to
the hostililies from cruisers fitted out in
England. and the neglect Of the British
Government Of their neutral obligations
to the United States during our late civil
war.
The attitude of Great Britain in this
correspondence, as in al preceding it on
the s, he subject. as shown in the letters
of Earl Russell. is very remarkable, and
without parallel in the intentional
history of governments, European or
American. Rcbellions, iusnrrcctiops, and
civil wars have existed, com pretending
as large territory. and, in the case of
Spanish America, rs large population,
as exists in our Rebel States. and in this
we include tn c revolution of the Thirteen
Coluuieo. Now, not in one of these cases
did any neutral government undertake to
recognize the belligcrcncy of the Rebels
until after n long lap Of time aud much
delihcration, Intervention and diplomatic
correspondence Designating all these
presidents of history and parliamentary
law. the British Government. in the case
of the Rebellion of the Southern States.
jumped Instantly into recognition of the
pretended belligercncy it Lid ii is as Earl
Russell now admits. mt OIL "a knowledge
of the fact but on the alleged estimate
of what might or might not turn out to
be fact; it rushed iuto the recognition on
the very day when it knew that Mr.. Ad-
ans was about to sent himself as the
Envoy Of the United States; and proceed.
ing.with a prccipitancy without parallel.
arose. from the very beginning to place it.
self OH dangerous and extremely false
pretenscs.
The immediate consequences of the act
of the British Government Was to commu.
nicate to the Rebel Southern States the
semblance of right to carry on war at
sea: which possessing no ships, it was
incapable of doing on it, owa
behalf, and therefore legally incapacitated
to do, according to all true Interpretation
of the law of nations.
Having no ships of war Of their own,
the Confederates very naturally went to
England-who had thus advanced more
than half way toward them---to obtain
ships, armaments and men. with which
to prey on the commerce of the United
States.
All these ships were fitted out in Eng.
land, i'll violation of the manifcft neutral
duties of Great Britain. OF conrse, the
Unired States demonstrated. What was
Lord Rnssell's answer? The letter of an
Act Of Paliament. He said, We have an
Act of Pa!iamcnt which forbids he'll
ligcrent equipment in our ports But we
cannot bring these peculiar equipments
within the letter Of that Act. That is
not true, said the United States. If YOU
exerted due diligence. or had a proper
disposition to execute those acts, they give
you power enough. Aud. beside. if those
acts do not suffice, pass others which shall
suffice.
But the British Government we're either
afraid or unwilling to bring the matter
b. fore Parliament So the hostile equip
ments went on and ships fitted out in
England ravaged our commerce until our
merchant marine was cut to pieces and
driven from the ocean, and the carving.
trade of the world thrown exclusively in.
to the hands of the ship owners of Great
B,italn. For all this, we demand roma.
ration Lord Russell argues the question
that is the Question of the obligation
of England for damages done " the Ala.
bama. Tallahassee and Shenandoah, Ar
the conclusion Of that argument, he saws
We decline to pay damages; we decline
to refer to friendly power as arhi,er
But We are willing to submit claims on
both sides to a joint international com
mission.
10 this Mr. Adams REPLIES. arguing All
the questions at Issue with admirable dip.
nifty and superior ability, aud concluding
with declining the proposal but saving
he would refer the proposal of Lord Rus.
sell to his Government. Tins far. tbe,o
would not seem any insoluable coutrover.
sy between these two Governments RI,
now comes its denouement.
l. Earl Russell publishes the eorr.s