The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-09

8, lS72.-TRIPI
acted upon by Her Majesry's government as to the
sufilciency OF the Information and evidence from
time to time submitted to them respecting appre-
hended infractions of the law by the con-
ssruction and equipment OF warlike vessels
Tor the service OF the Confederate States,
IL Ia necessary throughout to bear In mind
not only that the trade OF snip building Is q
great and important branch OF Industry. which
Her Majesty's government was not required by any
international duty to place under restrictions unau.
thorized bv law, and over which It was not justi-
fed in assuming any arbitrary control. But also
that the principal firms OF British snipbuders mad
been for o long time in the habit OF entering into
contracts with foreign governments in all parts OF
the world for
THE CONSTRUCTION. EQUIPMENT AND SALE OF SHIPS
OF WAR,
such contracts being privately negotiated in the
ordinary course OF business, without any power
on the part Of the government to In
quire into or interfere with them. No
presumption therefore, as to the real destina-
ton OF any sucn vessel would in any case arise
from the mere fact Of her having wailike cnarac-
ter, although she might be In course Of building
during state OF war between particular Powers,
while others were at peace
In the papers relating to the iron-clad rams at
Liverpool ample illustration will be found OF the
difficulties which liable to arise from the state
OF things whenever 1t became necessary to prove
the actual purpose for which ship OF this charac
ter was being Observation-Disclosures which in the
end rendered 1t ultimately advisable for Her. Ma.
jesty's government to pay very large sum OF
money for
THE PURCHASE OF THE RAMS.
rather than risk the uncertain result OF q trial.
w,
from British ports, purchased from British own.
ers by the persons comprising the de acto govern
ment OF the Confederate States through their agents.
and passed into the possession and control OF that
government. After possession had been so acquired
they were respectively armed for war by the orders
OF that government, were commissioned as ships OF
war, and were commanded and
OFFICERRD BY AMERICAN CITIZENS
holding positions In Its naval service.
The crews OF these vessels were enlisted on tho
high elsewhere out OF the jurisdiction OF Her
Malestys government, and, In the case OF the
Florida chiefly In port OF the Confederate States.
They were composed partly of British subjects,
whom the American officers induced by persuasion
and by promises OF reward to take service when at
distance from England. The solicitations Of the
American officers were sometimes successful III
INDUCING BRITISH sEAMEN TO SERVE.
Sometimes they were exerted In vain. But the
vessels were also manned to o considerable extent
with Americans ana Others drawn from the crews
OF American ships captured by them, though 1t is
right to ada that In the OF Of the latter
class who left the Shenandoah at Melbourne 1t was
alleged that threats and Ill usage had been en-
ployed In order to induce them to join.
HOSPITALITY TO PIRATES.
These vessels, after having been armed FOR war,
were received as vessels-ofwar in the ports OF
trail countries visited by them. In British ports
they were received on the same footing
as IN those Of other neutral nations. and
were allowed TO repair and purchase supplies on
the same conditions as armed vessels Of the United
States without favor Partially careful prccauti0n
being employed to prevent any renewal or augmen-
tatlon or their wariike force within British waters
ALL THE FAULT OF AMERICA.
No serious endeavOrs to intercept or capture any
OF these vessels during the times OF their respective
cruises appear TO have been made by the govern.
ment OF the United States and the losses inflicted
by them would probably have been In great meas
ure averted had reasonable activity and diligence
been exerted by that government and Its officers for
That purpose.
ENGLAND's NEUTRAL SPIRIT.
The general course OF Her Britannia Majesty's
government throughout the war was governed by
strict regard for the obligations OF neutrality ana
sincere desire to fulfil them, and this Is apparen
as well from the facts which have been stated re
latOn to the four vessels above specified, as from
the other facts stated In the earlier parts OF thi
case.
Thus It has been seen that, besides til,
Florida and Alabama, many other ships were be
leved and asserted by Mr.. Adams to be fitting Ou
in British ports for the purpose of carrying on wal
against the United states ana were made the subject
Of representations to Her Majesty's government.
OUR MINISTER'S MISTAKES
That In every case, without exception, the alle-
cations Of Mr.. Adams were promptly and carefully
investigated; that In the greater NUMBER OF cases
Mr.. Adams proved to be mistaken, the suspected
ships being merely merchant ships, built and fitted
out with view to special employment, and not
for war; that In all cases as to which reasonable
evidence could be obtained the suspected vessels
were seized and proceedings instituted for the con-
domination OF them; that four thus seiz ed-the
Alexandra, the two iron.clads and the Canton or
Pampero-and were prevented from being used for
belligerent purposes; and one OF them-the Alex
andra--havng been seized In England ana restored
by the verdict Of q jury, was afterwards seized
again In British colony.
ONLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR ONE.
That during the whole period OF the war,
which lasted for four years, no vessel armed
for war was sent out or procured from
British ports for beigerent use. and
that ofvesses specially adapted by construction for
warlike use, two only-the Florida and Alabama
were SO procured In the manner ana under the cir
umstances above described; while Of these two one
only-the Acknowledgment and came into the
possession OF the Confederate government
without having undergone a seizure and trial.
ENGLAND MORE THAN CAREFUL.
Finally, 1t has been seen that the government OF
Her Britannia Majesty, not content with carefully
performing the utmost Of Its power its recognized
International obligations, overstepped on more than
occasion the actual limit Of those obligations
for the sake Of preventing anything whatever which
might compromise or be reasonably thought to
compromise its neutrality, and, In particular, that