The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-28
The Alabama Question Again Dis
Cussed in England-She Must
Pay the Penalty Incurred
Attempt Of the Lairds
to Excuse Them.
selves.
Crime in Memphis An Actor
Killed and Two Officers
Wounded.
FROM EUROPE.

The Alabama CInims-A CuriOus Letter from
the Mcssrs. Laird Their Attempt at Self
VindicHIiOn England Cannot Escape the
Pcnalty-What the Journals say.
By Atlantic Cable
LoNDoN, May 27.-The Messrs Laird the
builders of the Alabama, have published in the
morning papers Il curious letter, in which they
attempt to vindicate their own character in the
affair. They claim that the construction of the
Alabama at their yards was free from conceal
ment, and that the Government authorities the
public, and the American Minister were
n acquainted with the fact that she was built as a
vessel of war, and it was notorious that she was
intended for the service of the Confederate Gov
ernment.
They further claim that there was no haste or
secrecy observed in any of their operations; and
that had there been anything illegal in the build
ing or fitting out of the vessel, there was ample
time and opportunity for the Government to
seize her. When the Customs authorities were
notified on the 21st of July that she was ready
for sea, and might leave at any hour she pleased
there was no attempt made to detain her.
although Passmore and others had made
affidavits that men had been enlisted to
serve on board. The Messrs. Laird take
the ground that the contract for building the
Alabama was not at variance either
with the laws of England, or with the opinions
of Englishmen, or with the practice of foreign
nations The Lairds quote from the written
opinions of Mellsh, Kemplay, and Sir Hugh
Cairns, delivered in February, 1868, in support
of their positions, and declare that the Alabama
left Birlenhead unarmed, and that she went to
the Azores, where she received men and arms
which had been sent to her from other parts of
England.
The Star radical organ) says the Messrs.
Laird may be guiltless, but that England cannot
escapeS the penalty is the verdict of the best
authorities, and is foregOnc conclusion. The
Post Conservative says the vindication of the
Messrs Laird is complete. The law was made
quate to prevent the transaction. The remedy
lay with the Legislature and not with the Exc
cutive. The Standard (conservatve) says that
Messrs. Lairds' vindication condemns the Gov
ernment. The inadequNcy Of the law is an un-
sufficient excuse for Il breach of international
obligations. England's obligations were broken
for the North rs well as the South. The Ameri-
cans were equally guilty of brench of inter
national obligations in the case of the Caroline,
and in the case of the Fenian drillings and or
ganization. The final reckoning will give
heavy balance to the debit of the United States.
The StdHdd rd, commenting upon the letter, says:
"The Messrs Laird are morally and legally innocent,
but it is not clear that the law of nations has not
ment is free OF the charge of negligence" The
STANDARD says that the Confederate agents the
Alabama her armament in separate lots but all TO
the common rendezvous that she left England un-
armed, but was armed and manned from her sheres.
Whatever England's otiense may have been it has
been outdOne a hundred-fold by the Americans by
their wilful and Wanton ohenses against England,
and any just settlement will leave heavy balance
against the United States.
The Star thinks the letter of the Messrs Laird
tends to aggravate the action Of the Government
Beside the general obligation to prevent all risk
issuing from the escape OF a ship known to be
destined to prey on American commerce. a further
obligation is raised by the fact that the Alabama was
built for guns and war crew, reported by the
customs officers for war purposes. This obviously
devOlved upon the Government the duty Of making
the Enlistment act go far, and there is good reason
TO suspect that 1t would have gone far enough if a
hearty effort had been made to stretch and honestly
extend its purpose
This Mornings Quotations,
Despatch to The EUening Telegraph
LONDON, May 2S-1l A. M-Consols for money and
account open at 93A. United States Fve.twenty
bonds open at 1875, quiet and steady. Illinois Central
96H. Eries, lSA Atlantic and Great Western, 241S
The Stock market is generally steady go
FRANKFORT, May 2S-l1 A.M.-United States bonds,
S6h,
LIVERPOOL, May 2s-l1 A. M.-The cotton market
opens shade fiuner, The days sales are estimated
at lS,OOo bales mddlmg uplands, l1J6d.; middling
$4,000 bales OF which 10000 were for export and 5000
for speculation. The stock on hand is 423, 900 bales
OF which 23l 200 We're from the United States.
the Breadstuns market is trmer and higher. Cali
IOrna Whte wheat has advanced to 9s. Sd, and No.
2red WESTERN to IS. 9d. Other articles are without
change. The Provision market is quiet ana un-
changed.
This Afternoons Quotations.
Despatch to Tile ECeaing Teiegraph
LONDON, May 2S-l p. M.-United States bonds
ls4 Illinois Central 951E; Eres, lSa{ COns)s, 93
Atlantic and Great Western Railroad, 24L.
FRANKFORT May 2S-l p. M.--U. s. bonds, S61{.
LIVERPOOL, May PSI p. M.-1he Cotton market
Is hriheT sales " goo bales upands, l1ld Orleans
lid Cotton anoat 100000 bales, of which l4,9OO
This Afternoons Quotations.
| Despatch to The EUenilg IelegraDh
LONDON, May 2s-l p. M-Consols for money
| 98a Tor account 93&. United States bonds, 791
quiet. Yarns and Fabrics at Manchester nrmer.
FRANKFORT, May PSI r. M-Unlted States
| 500 bonds unchanged.
LIVERPOOL, May 2s-1 p M.-Cotton market
| hrmer; mlddling uplands, ul{d: New Orleans,
llAd. Cotton anoab b02 900 bales OF which 900
| bales are American Breadstuffs steady. PrOvi-
sons steady. Lard, 6Ss. Cd Spirits Petroleum, ID
Linseed Oil, 1928. All others unchanged
Robbery i'm Maine.