The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-06
Mr.. Phelps and the Alabama.

In his letter to Mr.. Morton, Hon. E.
j. Phelps, in the subjoined paragraph,
invites Spain to amerce the United
States for alleged infidelity to Its inter-
national obligations in respect Of fill
clustering expeditions that have stolen
away from it's ports for Cuba:
1--WE recovered $4,000. 900 from Great
Britain for the depredations Of the Alabama,
only built not armed, manned or fitted out
In that country. on the ground that her
government was not vigilant enough in
preventing the sailing Of the vessel. Is 1t
| to be doubted that much stronger case OF
negligence could be made out before tri-
| bunsl Of arbitration against our govern
ment in respect to these expeditions7"
This is the really serious thing in
Mr.. Phelps very remarkable and very
un-American letter. Is there any
similitude between the conduct of
England in the one case and the
action of the United States in the
otherp or the seven Confederate
privateers that were really formid.
able to the United States, five were
built in English shipyards, - saying
nothing of the war vessels, rams and
ironclads, British energy prepared for
the Confederate government. England
was the naval base of the Confederacy.
The Oreto, afterwards known as the
Florida, was the first privateer to leave
the Mersey, without detention or diff
Guilty, although the American minister
warned the British government of her
real purpose. Within three months
she captured and destroyed fifteen
American merchant vessels. Next
came the Alabama, whose career and
depredations gave name to the claims
upon Great Britain for the damages
wrought to American commerce by all
the English Confederate cruisers.
The Alabama was built expressly for
the Confederate service in dock. yard
at Birkenhead, near Liverpool. The
builder was a member OF the English
House of Commons. In good time Mr..
Adams, the American minister, called
the attention of the British government
to the fact that the Alabama was build
ing at the dock-yard on the Mersey,
and was intended for the Confederate
government. Proofs were asked for.
Mr.. Adams sent the proofs, and his
claim that the Alabama, or 1890" as
the vessel was then called, should be
detained was supported by the opinion
of an eminent English lawyer, who ad.
ded that it would be difficult to make
out stronger case of violation of Eng
fish law. The English government still
asked for proofs, but made no effort to
start inquiry on its own account, which
it could have done more effectively than
Mr.. Adams, stranger in England.
There was never the slightest doubt in
the mind of any Englishman as to
whom and for what purpose the Ala
bama was destined. There was no at
tempt at concealment. The newspa-
pers described the gradual completion
of the cruiser as if it were British
vessel of war that was. building. Openly
and in the light of day she was built for
the Confederate service, under a con-
tract with the authorized agent of the
Confederacy, Captain Bullock. At
last, when the cruiser was nearly ready
for sea, the opinion OF the law officer of
the English government was sought.
Several days further delay followed,
when this official gave an opinion that
the vessel ought to be detained. The
opinion came too late; the ship had
gone to sea, and amid the cheers of
Englishmen and the rapturous glorif-
cation of the English press she began
her two years career of destruction.
Passing round the north coast of Ire
land, the Alabama sailed for one of the
Azores Islands. At this island soon
arrived an English ship, bringing from
England, English guns for the Ala
bama's armament, with English amuni-
ton, coal, stores, etc. There came:also
from England another English ship,
having on board the Confederate cap
tain Semmes, the officers and crew,
with more stores and heavy guns for
the Alabama. During the completion
of the cruiser her officers had been in
England, and were paid their salaries
monthly by an English banking firm in
Liverpool. The crew was for the most
part English, the gunners were English,
many of the latter belonging to the
royal naval reserve and receiving pay
from the English government. The
Alabama sailed under the British flag,
and under that flag lured American
merchantmen within her reach, then
displayed the Confederate colors and
bounced upon her prey. AS a dis
tinguished member of the British par
lament put il, "She WAS built nv