The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-14
.Alabamn- "Reminiscences.

lnasmuch as the decision of the Geneva
Board Of Arbitration with respect to the
" Alabama" herself must of necessity
govern the whole issue Of the claims gene
rally known as the " Alabama claims, )" a
brief review of the circumstances attending
her construction and departure from Eng
land may not at this juncture prove unin-
teresting to our readers. The " Alabama"
was steam vessel of 900 tons, with en-
gines of 800 horse power, but she was
chiefly adapted for railing. She was mani
testify built for warlike purposes, and the
London Times itself admits that it was sus-
pected from the first she was intended for
the Confederate service. She was launched
at Liverpool May 10Th, 1862; but before
this Mr.. Dudley, our Consul at that
port, had been in correspondence with Mr..
Adams respecting her. 1t seems, how
ever, that it was not until the middle
of June that Lord Russell received from
Mr.. Adams request that an inquiry
might be instituted into her character. This
was thereupon done through the custom
house officers at Liverpool, and her war
like character being clearly ascertained, she
was ostensibly placed under the surveil-
lance of the British government, while Mr..
Dudley was invited to submit evidence Of
her alleged destination. On the 2lst of
July he laid the desired proofs in the form
of affidavits before the Collector at Liver
pool, in compliance with the instructions
which Mr.. Adams had received from Earl
Russell /; and these affidavits were on the
same day transmitted to the Board of Gus
toms at London, with request for instruc-
tons by telegraph, as the vessel appeared
to be fully ready for sea and might leave at
any hour. Then the unfrendliness
Of the British authorities to the United
States began to manifest ITSELF
The papers were referred by the
Board of Customs to their official advisers,
who reported that in their judgment there
was not sufficient evidence to warrant q
seizure. The Board of Customs, however,
suggested the desirabllity of consulting the
law officers of the Crown respecting the
matter, and the dispositions were according
ly placed in their hands. Notwithstanding
the necessity which existed for prompt con-
sideration of the question, and the repeated
urgent requests of our Minister and Consul
that it might receive immediate attention,
the British Attorney General delayed Civ
ing his opinion until five days had elapsed,
when he reported to Lord Russell that the
evidence seemed 10 call for the detention of
the Alabama. On the morning of the very
day, however, on which this opinion
was given, the Alabama left Liverpool
ostensbly on trial trip, without either
registry or clearance, and a few hours
after her departure, orders came from the
British government to prevent her from
leaving port, she being at that time we'll out
at sea. 1t was perfectly notorious through
out England that the Alabama was con-
structcd for hostile purposes against the
United States, and yet the British govern
ment. at first decided that there were no
solid grounds upon which it could detain
her, and then, when this position was nc
longer tenable, moved in so tardy and dila-
tory a manner as not only to show gross
and wilful negligence, but also to create O
very natural suspicion in the minds of I'M
prejudiced people that it was itself party
to the escape of the pirate. These are
some of the material facts to which the ar
bitrators will have to apply the rules laid
down in the sixth article of the treaty.
l. IL