The New York herald., 1868-03-09

I.psrtans Lawsuit In France-Rebei Boz
liseress Rights.
We published yesterday very interesting
letter from our special correspondent In Paris
relative to an action which the United States
have instituted before the Civil Tribunal Of
Paris against NJ Arman, Deputy in the Corps
Legislatif and shipbuilder at Bordeaux; NJ
Erlanger, banker at Paris and son-in-law of
Mr.. Slidell, Confederate diplomatic agent at
Paris during the late war; M. Voruz, engine
builder at Nantes; M. Dubigeon, shipbuilder
in the same town, and certain other persons,
in order to recover from them large Gums of
money, exceeding three hundred and fifteen
thousand pounds, received by them for Con-
structing vessels of war for the Confederate
States. The United States also claim an in
demnity of one hundred and fifteen thousand
pounds for the injury they suffered from the
violation Of the laws of neutrality by the build
ing by the defendants of the vessels in ques-
ton. These were four steamers, ''ostensibly des-
tined by foreign shipowner for regular COM
munication between Shanghae, Osaca, Jeddo
and San Francisco" and eventually to be sold
to the governments Of Japan and China, and
two plated steam rams. Thanks to the inter-
ference Of the United States Minister to Paris,
the permission which had been obtained for
the arming and the departure Of these vessels
was revoked, and in consequence of this inter-
diction two of the steamers were sold to Prus-
sia and two to Peru. One Of the steam rams
was subsequently sold to Prussia. The other
was bargained for by the Danish government,
which, however, refused it after it had been
completed, on account of its not fulfilling all
the conditions requisite. Notwithstanding this
refusal it was sent to Copenhagen, and thence,
after second refusal, to the little village Of
Houat, near Quiberon, in French waters; its
name was changed to Olinde; two days later
thirty tons of coal were sent to it from Nantes,
the Danish crew which had been substituted at
Copenhagen for its French crew were con-
veyed from it to Nantes and their places were
supplied by Confederate crew under Captain
Page-the same crew that had served on the
Confederate steamer Florida; an Eng
lsh steamer put them, together with
cannon and ammunition, on board the
Olinde, which again received q new name
the Stonewall-and, running up the Confede-
rate flag, put to sea. With its subsequent his
tory all are familiar. When stress of weather
compelled it TO put in at Ferrol, in Spain, the
diplomatic agent of the United States called on
the Spanish government to seize it; but the
Spanish government declined. When 1t went
to Lisbon United States vessel of war, the
Niagara attempted to seize it, but was fired
into by the Portuguese. Finally, at Havana,
it was taken possession of by the Spanish au-
thorities and given up to the agents of the
United States. In the course of the diplomatic
correspondence with the French government
the threat on the part of the United States gov
ernment to seize the two vessels built at Nantes
if they should leave the port, even to make
trial trip, and under the French flag, led to
threat of interdicting any vessel of the United
States from sojourning in French waters; so
that this contract of Mr.. Slidell, the Confede
rate agent, with his son-in-law, Mr.. Erlanger,
for building vessels for the Confederate service
narrowly missed involving France, Spain and
Portugal in direct war with the United States,
and thus helping to carry out one essential part
of the programme of Jefferson Davis and his
counsellors at Richmond.
The object Of the United States government
in its demand for the restitution of the sums
paid on behalf of the Confederate authorities to
Messrs. Arman, Erlanger and their associates,
and for the interest thereon, is, Of course, not
merely to recover the comparatively triling
amount of money involved, as to settle, dis
tnctly and forever, the question whether few
States or counties which may happen to rebel
against the central power of the United States
are entitled to the recognition of their claims
as belligerents by European governments.
This is the vital question at issue in the case
The Emperor of the French has listened with
politer promptitude than the British govern
ment to each definite complaint which the
United States have been compelled to make on
account of real or apparent violation of neu-
trality But there is little doubt that tacit
understanding existed between France and
England from the outset of the war, and that
neither would have mourned inconsolably had
the war resulted in the disruption Of the
American Union. However this may have
been, it is almost time for both those Powers
to learn that 1t is equally important for them
as for ourselves to have just and final settle
ment of the question which is at issue alike in
Alabama claims in England and in Stonewall
claims in France.
THE BREAKING UP OF A RouGH WINTER
From the warm sun and balmy skies of the last
few days we think we may congratulate "aIl
the people Of the United States" that the rough
winter Of 1868 is ended, and that brighter
days and better times are coming. The break
ip0 nm not only of Tho or,horroo, oc .co,, -