IS THE ALABAMA A BRITISH PIRATE? 21 The case of the Grand Admiral is another frequently alluded to by the British press, and it is only necessary to say that this ship was ordered by the Russian government before the outbreak of hostilities ; that its construction was suspended durins the whole of the war; and that she did not sail from this country until 1859, three years after peace was declared. (See letter of W. II. Webb, Esq., published by N. Y. Chamb. of Com., 1863.) The purchase and clearance of the steamship “United States” is now being made use of by those English journals which are conducted in the interest of the rebellion, to justify, by an American precedent, the piratical enterprises in which British merchants are now engaged. In this, as in all the other cases, an American may well say: “ Mark, now, how plain a tale shall put you down.” In 1848, an attempt was made to consolidate the German people into one government. The new government sent commissioners to this country to purchase some steam war vessels. The commissioners addressed our government, openly through the German minister, and the President, in courtesy, granted the services of some of our naval officers to aid in the selection, and the use of our navy-yard, for the refitting of the steamer in question. While this was going on, the government at Washington were informed that the purchasers of this steamer were in some way parties to a petty controversy, then progressing, under the name of the Schleswig-Holstein war. Upon receipt of this information, all facilities for finishing the vessel were at once withdrawn, and it was only aftei’ a long negotiation that she was permitted to sail, without arms, with just men enough to take her across the Atlantic; and only after having given bonds in $900,000 that she should never be used against any nation with whom we were at peace. She reached Liverpool, and there remained until peace was dePassmore, who swore he had been engaged by Capt. Butcher to sail in the “ 290,” with the express understanding that she was going to fight for the “government of the Confederate States of America ” That he had joined the vessel in Messrs. Laird & Co.’s yard at Birkenhead, and remained on her several days. That lie found about thirty old meu-of-war’s men on board, among whom it was “ well known that she was going out as a privateer for the Confederate government to act against the I niied States, under a commission from Mr. Jefferson Davis.” Yet, this affidavit, proving, prima facie, as it does the character of the vessel, was, with others sustaining it, iu the bauds of English officials for at least ten day before they were able o determine whether they should take the precaution of holding the vessel to abide the event of examination. Nor bus any action yet been taken against Capt. Butcner for a criminal infringement of the 2d section of 69 Geo. 111., which, .under severe penalties, forbids the hiring or enlisting any man to serve against a friendly nation. The distinguishing features of this case do not require to be pointed out.
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