The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1872.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 937, 6 March 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1872.

The startling news brought by the last mail—not unexpected by those who watched the events of the sanguinary civil war in the States, and the unlawful part taken by England in the contest—induce us to lay before our readers a succinct account of the action of the English Government and shipbuilders,ju contravention of laws as clearly established between nations as those existing for individual protection in England or any other nation.

The case of the Alabama from the beginning will be understood by the following iiacts, taken from oliicial sources. The attention of the reader is particularly called to the dates of the correspondence between the different parties. The correspondence between Earl Russell and Mr Adams (United State Minister), was laid before the British Parliament in 1863, and contains everything that can be said on either side upon the subject. Mr Adams, in a letter of December 26, 1363, says, —and we quote it to show the moderation of the demand at that time, when the matter could and ought to have been settled by the British Government:—

" I desh'e neither to make charges nor to raise implications of an unnecessary nature, to complicate the difficulties of this painful subject. All that I deem it my duty to know is that a grievous wrong has been done to an innocent and friendly nation, by what seems to me to have been a most unfortunate delay in effecting a prevention that later experience shows ought to have been applied in time. Of the reasons that prevented such an application, inasmuch as none of them could have grown out of the course of the injured party, I had no wish to enter into a discussion. The principle of justice is merely that right should be done, but that it should be sufficiently prompt to effect its object. Otherwise it is justice denied. Qpon that lam content to rely." Could anything he more moderate—more just—more rational? Compare it with the present howlings of the A merican press, and, we are sorry to say, the insulting tone of some portions of the English press, and then judge of the difference in the settlement of any difficulty between the acta and words of a statesmen, and the effusions of a man hired to write to cause a sensation.

On Juue 23, 1862, Mr Adams addressed his first note to Earl Eussell

on the subject of the Alabama, then about to be launched from a Liverpool shipyard. He inclosed a l report from the American Consul at Liverpool, giving information as to the Alabama being nearly ready for sea, with full particulars-as to her build, equipment, and destination, concluding thus: — " When completed and armed, she will be a most formidable and dangerous craft, and if not prevented from going to sea will do much mischief to our commerce."

On June 25, 1802, |Earl Russel, acknowledged the receipt of this communication, and said : "I have lost no time in referring the matter to the proper department of her Majesty's Government." On July 4, 1862, Earl Russell incloses to Mr Adams a copy of a report from the Commissioners of Customs, dated July 1, saying:— "There ia not sufficient grouud to warrant the "detention of the vessel, or any interference on the part of this department." Earl Russell, in this same document, advises Mr Adams to procure additional evidence, and to submit the same to the collector of customs at Liverpool. On July 22, 1862, Mr Adams inclosed, to Earl Russell, copies of six depositions, the originals of which had already been submitted to the col lector of customs at Liverpool. On July 24, 1862, Mr Adams sent to Earl Russell two additional depositions accompanied by au "opinion " of Mr Collier—afterwards SolicitorGeneral—concluding thus : "It welj deserves consideration whether (if the vessel be allowed to escape) the Federal Government would not have serious ground for remonstrance." On July 23, 1562, Mr Squarry, on behalf of Mr Adams, wrote to the Board of Customs in London : "The gunboat now lies in Birkenhead docks ready for sea in all respects, with a crew of fifty men on board ; she may sail at any tim"."' It may be remarked here that this announcement -wa-s not laid before the British Pari.anient, but presented to Congress. On July 28, 1862, Earl Russell acknowledged Mr A.dams's letters, and said :

"These papers had been refused to the Law Officeas of the Crown."

On July 29, 1862, the Alabama sailod from Liverpool without a clearance.

On September 22, 1862, Ear Bussell wrote to Mr Adams :

" The report of the Law Officers wns not received until July 29, and that, information having been received of the sailing of the Alabama, instructions were then dispatched to Ireland to detain the vessel should she put into Queenstown, and similar instructions to the G-overnor of the Bahamas, in case of her visiting Nassau." The attention of the reader is called to the lapse of time .from the sailing of the Alabama to Earl Russell's next communication—from July 29 to September 22.

On November 22, ISG2, Mr Adams claimed damages for the depredations of the Alabama ; stating his grounds for such a claim :

" I have done all in my power to apprise Her Majesty's Government of the illegal enterprise, in ample season for effecting its prevention." Surely the British authorities should have decided whether there were or were not prima facie grounds for detaining the Alabama as a preliminary step to further legal proceedings The first warning was received June 23 ; a second, and most emphatic one, with depositions on oath, July 22. The Alabama escaped July 29.

As a contrast to the above criminal neglect of the British Government we give the following instance of prompt conduct on the part of the United States Government when an infringement of the Enlistment Act of the United State? (which is almost identical with that of England) was supposed to be contemplated : "On October 11, 1855, Her Majesty's representative at Washington, Mr Grain pton, addressed to the Government of the United States a note with the evidence to show that a vessel, called the Maury, was then fitting out at the port of New York armed to depredate on British vessels. Ou October 12 the Attorney-General sent by telegraph to 'the proper officer at New York to consult with the British Consul, and to prosecute if cause appear. On October 13 the collector Btopped the vessel then about to sail." It turned out that there was no case against the Maury ; but, as Mr Adams sava:—

" In the brief space of four days the Government action, under the Enlistment Law, had been sufficiently energetic completely to satisfy the

requisition of Her Majesty's representative." ~

The New York Chamber of Commerce'adopted, upon this occasion, the two following resolutions : 1. "That no proper amends or apology have been made to A. A. Low and Brothers (owners of the Maury) for the charge brought against them, which charge, if true, would have rendered them infamous ; nor to'the ■merchants of this city and country, so falsely and injuriously assailed." 2. "That the merchants .of the United States will uphold the Government in the full maintenance of the Neutrality Laws of this country ; and we acknowledge and adopt, and have always regarded, the -Acts of the United States for preserving its neutrality, as binding in Honor ahd conscience, as well as mlaw-, and that we denounce those who violate them as disturbers «f the peace'of the world—to he held in universal abhorrence."

Well may Mr Adams say : —"I am sorry te "confess that I have not seen the like indignation shown in 'the United Kingdom against 'similar charges made against distinguished parties in Liverpool." By reference to the date of this occurrence in New York, it will be seen that England was then engaged in the bloody, useless, and sham war with Russia in the Crimea. 'lt 'is impossible to contrast this case bf the Maury, at New York, with that of the Alabama at Liverpool, without the most painful feelings, and without being moved to shame.