The New York herald., 1869-05-28
An AbSOlatiOn Of Allegiance to the British
Crown to be Demanded.
ENGLAND.


.~~-1No~o~c.-~-~o<,,>o..
Tho Alabama Case-I.etter frors the Lnirsis-.
Bad Case Against the British Govern
meDt-Comuents Of the London Standard
and Star.
LONDON. May 21, 1862
Under date of May 2y the Messrs. Laird builders
Of the Alabama, publish q curious letter In the
English papers. attempting to vndIcate their own
character In the AFFAIR. 1hey claim that the build
ing of the vessel done In the way OF business,
and free Of cOncealment; that 1t was known to the
government and the public, and with the knowledge
OF the American Minister. That the vessel was
meant for war purposes and intended for the OF
the Confederate government was notorious. No
haste or secrecy was observed in any of the opera
tions. Had there been anything Illegal in the building
or fitting out OF the ship, ample time and opportu-
nifty existed for the government to seize her. When
the officers OF the Custom House were Informed, on
the 21st Of July, that she was ready for sea and
might leave at any hour she pleased. attempt was
made to detain her, though Passmore and others
made affldavts that men were enlisted to serve on
board her. They take tho ground that the contract
entered into for the building OF the ship not at
variance with the laws OF England, the opinion Of
the English people or the practice OF foreign ma
tions They quote the written aplnions Of Mr.. Mel
lish, Q. c.; MIR. Kempiay and Sir Hugh Cairns. Of
February, 1862 which they aege support their posi-
head unarmed, and went to the Azores, to which
mon and arms had been sent from otner parts.
The London Standard, tory organ, commenting
on the statement OF Messr5 Laird says they were
morally and legally innocent 1t is clear that the
law OF nations not violated by other parties
even by the government. There is clear charge OF
negligence. The Confederate agents sent tho Ala
bama's armament away separately, but to O common
rendezvous; but she was manned and armed from
Of Whatever
may have been is 0utdone hundred fold by the
wiful and wanton offences OF the United States
against England. and any settlement will leave
heavy balance against the States. Engand's ob
cations were broken for the North rs well as the
South. The Americans were equally guilty OF
breach OF international obligations In the OF the
Caroline and In the OF tho Fenian drillings and
organization.
The London star tBright's paper thinks that
Lards letter aggravates the action OF the british
government. Besides the general obligation OF the
government to prevent all risk from the issuing
forth Of the Alabama, the ship was known as des-
tined to prey on American commerce. Further Obli-
cations raised by the facts that the Alabama was
built and pierced for guns and to accommodate q
war crew-facts reported by the British Custom
House oicers, also that she was really intepded
for war purposes. This knowledge obviously de.
volved upon the government the duty OF making the
case. There good reason to suspect that the act
would have gone far enough II O hearty effort had
been made to stretch Its provisions honestly and
tend Its purpose 70 the case.
More Criticisms of the London Press on the
Alabama CIpims.
LONDON, May 81. 1850.
The Alabama claims still form the great theme OF
conversation and newspaper comment. The Times
to-day has an article on the commu nicatons OF Sir
Francis Head, which have recently been published
here respecting the case OF the ship Caroline and
the Of the United States towards Canada dur
ing the patriot war. The Times says that Senator
Summers assertions OF England's hostility to
America Is met by the testimony Of American
officials. Abuses much more fagrant have occurred
within the frontier Of the United States: for the
popular feeling OF the State Of New York was ad-
mitted to have moro than countenanced the Fenian
expeditions TO Canada. The American press expose
Mr.. Summers inconsistency by historical tests ana
point out his perversion OF facts.
The Messrs. Laird, OF Birkenhead, who built the
Alabama. have recently published o letter giving
legal opinions and extracts from documents and
speeches to prove that the building OF the Alabama
was not illegal. This letter has been extensively
copied and is thus commented on by the papers to-
day.
The Pos, conservative says the vndcation OF the
MeSSrS. Laliu IL complete. Tne law was lnauequate
to prevent the transaction. The remedy lay with
the legislature and not with the executive.
The Standard conservative saws that Messrs.
Lairis' vndIcaton condemns the government. The
inadequacy OF the law Is insufficient excuse for
breach OF int irrational obligations.
Tho Alabama Claims TO he shortly Laid Be-
fore Par.inmcp,.
LONDON, May 81, 1869.
In the House OF Commons this evening Mr.. 0tway,
Under Secretary for Foreign AGalrs, IN reply to
question, stated that the papers In the Of the
Alabama claims would SHORTLY be laid upon the
table.
statement OF the Bank or England.
LoSpoN. May 81, 1862.
The regular weekly statement OF the Bank OF Eng
land made public to-day shows that the amount OF
bullion In vault has increased e572oOo since last
week.
Plate and the Two ycnr Old stakes.
LONDON. May q, 1862
| The principal races ut EPSON to-day were those
for Her Maestys plate and the two year Old stakes
| The first named race was plate OF 100 guineas,
for only; three years old. 1O1 lbs; four years
Old, 133 lbs; hve years DID, 14i lbs.; six and aged
| las lbs. Two miles aud quarter.
| Sir II. Graham's b. m. Rompng Girl, 10y Wild
| Dayre out OF Guy, nve years.
| Mr. H. Wrights ExpansiOn. three years........'. =
BRnca
No others ran.