The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-23
LOSSES BY THE ALABAMA -
Our Government with not Interfere In
Behalf of FOreig nerS,

No 60 WILLIAM STREET, NEW \ DIRK, March Is,
1866 Hon. WIlnam H. Seward, Secretary OF S.ate,
Washington, ID. C-Sir; - In virtue OF the pressure
brought TO bear upon me by one of my friends in
Central America, IN the Republic OF San Salvador,
in regard to losses his house has sustained IN con-
sequence the depredations committed by the
pirate steamer Alabama, find myself compelled to
resort to your Excelency as the only source whence
l can ueliVe such enightenmenG as wall enable me
to do justice, IN my answer 10 my SAID Trend, which
at pleentl am unable to do, not knowing the views
tins Government enterialns on the subject
For the information OF the Honorable secretary of
State would that on the Both day OF January,
1868 shipped ON board OF the American oarque
Golden Rue bound from New York TO Asplnwall
United States OF Co ombla, merchandise, Ior &C.
count of the house Jose Antonio Gonzaes,a citizen
and resident of san Salvador amounting to S449 20,
ana as SAID tarQue was burned Oy the ALabamI, on
SAID voyage, near the island of st. Domin 20, my
friend sustained the loss OF above said amount, and
OF which he seeks restitution on the part OF the
United states Government.
1t mas been stated that the Government would not
allow any claims unless previous payment of such
losses as were caused by the Atabanad had been OBJ
tanned trem England; my friend Mr.. Jose Antonio
Gonzales thinks, as q citizen OF foreign country,
that di aory and injurious course would not Dc in
accordance with the ustlce always 80 justly attrbu
ted TO the Government of the Unned states, which,
moreover fully able to protect aud correspond
10 the losses to those, who, IN consequence OF lTs
difficulties, have thus been made innocent to suffer;
and,also IT seems 10 your humble as our
to reciprocal frendIiness and even protecting care
the part of the United STATES Government denied
TO the Southern States the acknowledgment of
their beligerence-that protection aud prompt set
tlement against loss is due to the ctizens of that
country.
beg leave to add that the claims of foreign coun-
tries in this respect IT appears TO me- snoud not be
placeo an equal 1oOhng with those citizens OF the
United States, as fore countries, maintaining tue
utmost riendliness towards the United States during
our recent struggle were in no manner directly in
teTested, was the case with the citizens of the
United States. respectfully submit this matter TO
the consideration OF the Department of Sta o, and
requesting the honor of an early answer, in order
that may be enabled to communicate the views of
the Department of State to the party cOncerned
and Uep gng to be excused for the freedom have
TAKEN please to accept the assurance of the
consideration and respect OF your most Obedlent
servant, WILLIAM IL. KNoEPFEL.
MR. sEwARD's REPLY.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON. March
20, 1866 w ilham H. Knoepfel, No. SO William
street, New York k.-Sir;-I have to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter OF the 10th instant and to
state that Mr. Gonzales not being an American citi'
zen nor domic led IN the United states, This Gov
eminent cannot intervene in his oehar with that of
Great Britain. nor assume any responsibility for in
july he has suffered at the hands of British subjects
and of the Rebels whom they aided.
Your Obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.