The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-12
OUR WAR CLAIMS.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.


Permit me- sir to proat OF this occasion my
TINS for the law that prohibits the entrance
Tor the sser q that dessa Ike landing and
ang oarases ashore In foreign lands ackncwledgs the
rations 1890 '
Notwithstanding the very great Difference with which
ment OF his lordshp, find myself SO unfortunate as
10 he constrained TO express humble opinion in this
my that the correct view is most likely 10 no
that OF M Correa de Serra But however efficient this
law may have been found to be by M Corea de at
80 late date as the 4th June 1920 It Is now gravely
affirmed that 4 SO wholly lost its efficacy for the
sen years following, that more property was
plants OF the Portuguese minister for these
. .aptures and plundering were more frequent
30 sustained, would be that assuming the exertons
the government to have continued the same instead
Improving the efficacy of the old law the addition of the
new provisions must have only made II worthless
than IL was before upon which logic might doubtless be
based very good justification to her Mjestys govern
men lot declining to try further legislation altogether
But, unfortunately, the whole argument falls to the
ground when its base disappears It is not
more after the year 1918 But it is denied that
She complaints made for captures after that time
never has been pretended that any could be made
perfect or any vigilance could be complete to put
an end to the Efforts OF proagae and desperate men
The grave error into which his lordship has fallen a
pears to have originated in payts letter written by
minister from Portugal at Washington thirty after
Inc date OF the events IN which letter and the caption
OF list embracing the OF vessels captured he in
oludes them vaguely within distinct dates Of 1916 and
1928 is however remarkable that in the letter ITSELF
containing his own reorganization of the facts date
OF capture is given later than 1890. BY turning
The same fact distinctly appears have carefully
ahmed those representations to trace the dates Of the
claims embraced in that list and find much the greater
propoten included within the period Of residence OF NJ
Correa 90 Sierra, ending in that year. So also Of the
gross amount of value assigned in 1850 indemnity
Tor all the damage done during the entire period which
As less than E3O0 000 i lind great proportion en-
oiaced in an early and trrswoty representation
made by the same person.
Such being the facts submit whether with such
sm support as can be given by this wholly parfe and
vague averment his Lordshp has not little crossed the
verge OF international courtesy by venturng without
any personal experience whatever Of American legisla
Gon and in the face of the statement OF NJ C0rrea de
nerra which he must have read to hazard an assertion
and, still more, give rise 10 an impression Ike that
necessarily produced by the language already quoted
country, it is with regret compelled to protes
against IL wholly unsubstantiated by any facts
dnced, and In every essential particular incorrect
Neither were those the only cases in which the efficacy
Of these provisions OF law have been fully tested It is
not very long time since had the honor Of calling the
attention OF her Majesfy's government TO instance
q the remarkable promptness with which action was
had under them upon request madeey the representa-
sve OF her Majesty's government at Washington,
Mr.. Champion on the nth of October 1855, directed
fhe attention Of my government to the character of
vessel In New York. then believed by HIM be fitting
out as prvateer 1t by virtue of the authority
vested In II by one Of the sections Of this law that she
possession of by the officers OF the law in such man
ncr rs to prevent all possibility of escape Il required
but four DAYS TO the investigation before
her MaJestys representative led to declare his
isfaction with the result to which IL had reached and
desired the process TO be stopped When compare
ceierty OF this effective proceeding with the feeble
nature OF the process that ended in the escape of the
Alabama in defiance OF the British authority while
] give due credit TO her Majesty's government for
good intentions, IL seems difficult 90 assent to the
view which his lordshp has been pleased TO take
Of the slight difference Ia the inefcaey of the legislation
Of the Respective nations In any event. cannot but
think their future harmony would have been much
certainly secured by try the experiment in
~ IN af rent min bac
been DONE TO prove that might not under any crcum
Stances have been averted But would appear super.
1uO1s 70 pursue this Inv eaton further the view OF
he fact that whether these provisions OF the
law were not effective, any part Of
government was instructed only 20 suggest the
pedency Of having recourse TO such additional
might think proper 10 choose 10 the end of making
abe laws of Great Britain effective. And
vas an that form only that hor Majesty
me decision was not against the adoption Of ihs
hw of the United States. II against doing anything
e all Neither in presenting the aIgnmen. which
san for moment permit implication that my gov
ernment has either madc demand which aims At til,
ADipuron OF British freedom, or which assumes with
out from any previously recognized authority
practice the existence OF extont OF obligation the
part Of Deurals towards begerents going beyond any
which the government OF free country could bay,
pswcr though acting with entire good faith pnnctuy
feel very sure that my country quite an jealous
che preservation OF the true principles Of freedom
reat Britain IL or ever has been, and further, full,
believe that neither governments would consent 10 give
80 the term that latitude which would encourage th'
power OF doing wrong with perfect impnnty The sug
gesion which hie ordshp has been pleased TO make to
wards the close of his note OF Improvements the
OF both nations the end that greater security
may be gwen ~ the respective nations against thoss
vho endeavor evade It's iaws though appears
20 be In substance little than has been the obec
Of my government from the Outset Of the TO obtain
yet which cannot but receive With great respect
and which shall transmit TO my government with plea
II the reasons for are sound now am at los
60 perceive why they did not avail during period whcT
my co~ntry could have felt the benefit OF them.
i trust that need not repeat how much pain II ha
given heretofore 10 witness the evil consequence.
that epsuo from the alienation of sentiment that has
grown Of this struggle between people o., the
race and how cheerfuiiy welcome every appearance
desire 10 bring them back 10 harmony Yet With re
gard 20 the proposition Immediately before me- cannot
ton that tho legislation OF tho countries nov
equally inefcacous-whlch csnnot entertain FOR a
meni on the contrary, the necessity Tor some action IN
future seems 70 me 70 he imperative because that egs
faion u stands not co-extensve. For u i
hardly possible for me TO imagine that The people Of ,he
United Sate after The experience they have had of
juries fIom the mperfecion Of British legislation and
refusal 10 amend H. would be ready chesrully 20 respond
another appeal like that made in 1885 by ar Ma
iesy's representative 10 the stringent and cGec-
tive protection extended 20 their The great
pres-rvaiive OF harmony mong rations is the full
recognition Of reciprocity their obligations.
40 iorg the heavy list OF deprcdaiions upon
American commerce, consequent, upon The issue Of
succession OF hostile cruisers, bui lifted out armed
manns and nsygated frIn British ports With perfect
impunty, continues to weigh upon their minds II would
be the height Of ia hold any sncour
agcmept TO the acceptance OF proposals the practical
consequence NJ which might be 10 place Great Britain
d practically the degree " security, in dangerous
~ncfgen.ice which she hsFsalf whom applied " bad de
nbsrately refused 10 accord o. them
In regard 20 the psStns words OF his ordahips note
Ihaye aresdy often had occasion express the
tments OF ny government " leave any doubt of the
In which socsps taoIu In the performances Of
duty which h.s bscn too often painful while hs lord
ship has been officially the TO whom II has been
my 10, TO address my repfcsen .aions, have been
esdlly cb>erec by the ronvcton that he subsiau
daily animated by the foelng ths prompted thoee lines
have the greatest pleasure in believing that In assum
ing the duties Of Ais poet under HE auspces my coun
cry may rest satisfied ha, the Of your ordshp
lhAs brought about 90 unfavorable changes
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS
JBr. Adams 60 the Earl Of Ctar~udon.
Received November u 1895
TAXATION IsuEp SrsrTSl
LONDON, NOT, 81, lsoS
wv Ir-p-I have the honor 20 inform your b,rdshit