The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-29
WHAT ARE CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES T?
Mr.. Seward Considers the Demand for q
Sum In Gross as Unbecoming the Dig
nifty and Honor of the Nation.
MONEY NO REDRESS FOR WOUNDED HONOR.
The Time for the Settlement Of the Ala
hama Claims Not Yet Arrived.
WAR WITH ENGLAND IMPOSSIBLE

WAN With ENGLANU lMFUNNlDLE
AUBURN, N. Y, Feb. %, 1872.
In large though plain and od-fashiOned man.
sion surrounded by few melancholy looking trees,
through which the piercing winds OF q Northern
winter make dismal music. resides the Hon.
william H. Seward, who, after shaping the destinies
of great country has retired to this unpretentious
little town, the home OF his youth, there to live the
remainder OF his days In the recollections OF his
eventful past. Toward the residence OF Mr.. Seward
the writer yesterday evening wended his steps
through streets wrapped IN complete darkness and
covered with snow and ice, which made walking a
periious enterprise indeed. He, however, safely
landed at the door. rang the bell, and few mo-
ments afterwards found himself in the genial pres
once Of the ex-Secretary OF State.
Almost everybody who somebody has aired his
opinions on the vexed question OF the day-the set
Element OF the Alabama claims. Among the select
few whose opinions worth listening to, but who
have not yet volunteered their "views' on the sub
ject is the venerable ex-Premier.
Mr. Seward bears the same sort OF parental rola-
ton to the Alabama claims as Washington, the
father Of the country, to the United States. The
cause for the controversy was created by British
perfdy; but 1t was Mr.. Seward whO as 1t were,
infused life into the Alabama claims, mar.
henslve facts and at last forced the reluctant
attention OF the British government to the subject
All the world remembers his famous correspondence
with the British government, through Mr.. Adams.
At the power OF his logic Lord John Russell, who
had lectured and bullled MALT Europe, fgurativey
speaking
SHOOK IN HIS SHOES,
and from savage growl toned down to gentle re-
monstrance. 1t was for the purpose Of obtaining
Mr. Stewards opinions on the latest stage OF the
Alabama controversy that the writer paid him a
VISIT at alf-past seven O'Clock last evening,
about the time when the ex-Secretary regularly
holds sort OF ievee, surrounded by the creme de la
creme OF the rural aristocracy Of the place.
Mr. Seward was, usual, lively and cOmmunica
tive and looked buoyant with health and good spir
its. After some friendly remark OF private nature
the conversation bore upon the subject OF the
Alabama claims, and the HERALD correspondent
began:- there is any one gentleman who knows
more than any other about the question Of the Ala
bama claims, you, sir are that gentleman, and have
come for the sole purpose OF obtaining the addl-
uonal benefit OF your knowledge Of the contro-
versy.
Mr.. sEwARp-l nave not followed the controversy
very closely OF late, but hat do know about the
Alabama claims will ilnpart TO you.
At the beginning OF the civil war the United
States, Great Britain and France regarded each
other as great Powers. each considering the other
as Power OF the first rank, and each entitled to
expect from the other continuance OF the relations
to which they were bound by treaty OF good faith
and friendship.
When the rebellion broke out in the United States
and the rebels assumed TO set up an independent
State within the United States ana so divide the
Union, the United States government appealed to
both France and Great Britain to recognize, O.
favor the rebellion, or tine dsunion OF the States
but TO adhere TO their friendly relations ind
their former position or recognizing only the
United States as the government for peace
and for war and for all domestic purposes The
British government and the French government. on
the one hand showed that they were MT prepared
to adhere TO the United States as the npreme gov
eminent, but that they hesitated, whetner they
should acknowledge the rebels asan independent
nauOn or at least as belligeren, POWER against the
United states.
The United States protesedagaLst this as dero-
CATION OF their government and their rights as a
nation and the treaty reatons OF friendship be-
tween them. The Unitef States warned and pro-
tested against any such departure from their rea-
tions by these two Powers.
The British and French governments addressed
the United States aDl informed them that trey had
the matter in consultation, aud would agree to act
together with regard to the war IN tie United
that each OF item was bound TO act separately TO-
ward the United States in the line of past relations.
without waiting for the arrival in Lopion and Paris
OF Mr. ADAMS and Mr.. Dayton. VINO we're appointed
to express the views of the Unitei States Oh that
urea, question, the British government. acting in
concert with the French government
PRECIPITATED DECISION
and issued a proclamation u the name Of the
Queen announcing the civil VIZ In the united states
and the determination OF thu British government to
regard as eq7al belligerenp the united states gov
ernment and the rebels.
The United States government protested aRainss
tina. decision. aud deaanded its reversal. The
British government aderlng, In concert WIN the
French government TO It's decision refused 10 re-
consider 1t, and theycelortn during lhe whoie CIVIL
war maintained tho attitude Of having lifted up a
revolutionary facion In the United states 20 a
national bellierent equal to the United
States. The Omitted States warned the Brit
,sh povernmnt that, although in the condition
in which the stood, fighting to suppress fearful
insarrectioy at home, they couu not safely levy
war agaipt Great Britain and France and thereby
provoke hem TO recognize and join the rebellion as
q poBtcal Power backed, as under the circnm-
stances they probably would be, by the maritime
Powers the world, they nevertheless pro.
nounced The proceedings OF the British govern
ment in TIE Queens proclamation as an act Of hos
tillty forwhicn whenever they should be able they
should expect
REDRESS AND AroNEMENT,
and tnG specially warned the British government
that fd oil the private acts by the British subjecls
In or rom the British ports In aid Of the rebellion
tneI 6ouid hold the British government RESPONSE