The New York herald., 1873-09-23
The Career Of an English Float, Beginning
Her History During the Most I'M
portant Naval Event of the
War for the Union.
THE WHALEBOAT OF THE ALABAMA.
Fate Of the Great Naval Reserve Of the Late
Confederate States
The Last Enemy of the Kearsarge
in Trouble.
lTrOm tho London Daily STANDARD, Sept. o.

lFrom the London Daily Standard, Sept. 9J
To THE EDITOR OF THE Standard
SR-The case Of the Alabama referred to by
Mr.. Rainier IN his communication dated the 9th
inst, was quite dssimilar to that OF the Deer.
hound now under consideration; and, as the
former has been settled to the complete satisfac-
ton OF all concerned, let us leave 1t and devote
our attention to the merits of the latter.
With tho bluntness and candor of q stragbtfOr-
ward sailor Captain Travers admits In his recent
letter to you that the Deerhound mad Been engaged
In landing arms when she was captured out at sea
by the Spanish republican gunboat Buenaventura;
but from all accounts 1t does not appear that any
traffic OF that kind is illegal, so far as the law OF
England Is concerned, and with regard to what the
law OF Spain is upon that point We have not as yet
At present the trade In arms is open to all in this
country who may think proper to carry 1t on, and
IL is, therefore, as lawful at this moment to ship
cargo o. guns "a IL would be to embark cOnsign-
ment OF umbrellas.
The real question at issue is that the seizure OF
the Decrhound was effected upon the nigh seas and
not IN Spanish waters at all. and was, so TAR ut
least, under ali circumstances illegal. The charac
ter or the vessel has nothing whatever 10 do With
the matter, nor could it IN any way affect so na.
grant violation OF tho maritime code OF nations.
TINS point, however, Il OF secondary importance nee
conduct pursued by tho Spanish authorities TO-
wards Colonel Stuart Captain lravers and the rest
OF the crew OF the DeerhOuMi since they were cap
tured. According to the latest accounts received
from tho spot it appears that they are all suffering
the greatest prlvati0ns arising from close i'm
prisOnment in the fortress Of st. Sebastian as well
as from bad food and miserable sanitary arrange
ments; and what their friends and relatives have
some ground In asking for is that the matter may
be regarded as worthy OF attention, and that some
speedy means may be arrived at to relieve these
Englishmen in their present painful extremity.
have the honor to be. sir, your most obedient ser
want, q. NJ
THATCHED HOUSE CLUB, ST. JAMES, Sept. 8, 1878.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD;-
sIR-Mr Charles G. Rainier sees parallel be-
tween the cases OF the Alabama and OF the Deer
hound, but no such parallel exists First, the
Alabama was an armed vessel, which attacked the
enemy's ships; the Deerh0und was unarmed and
was engaged in trade. Secondly, the United
States government had established an effective
blockade; no blockade has been even alleged to
exist on the coast OF Spain. Thirdly, the Con-
federate States were acknowledged 0S belliger
ents; tho Cnrlists have not been so acknowledged
Fourtbly, the United States were, and are, recog
nzed government; the republicans OF Madrid are
no more government than are the republicans Of
Cartagena, and have not been recognized by any
European country.
The whole question Is one OF law, not OF senri-
ment 1t may suit Mr.. Rainier's purpose to tax
his opponents with "loga qulbbling;" but grave
questions cannot be treated in so onhand style
by any one who appreciates their real hearing.
Your obedlent servant, AYMEZ LOYAULTE.
SEPT. 3. 1879