Synthesized answer
The chronological sequence of events began with the secession of the Southern States and the establishment of a separate government under President Jefferson Davis [4]. Hostilities commenced with the Confederate capture of Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861 [4], followed by President Abraham Lincoln's declaration of a blockade of southern ports on April 19, 1861 [1, 4]. On May 14, 1861, the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality, recognizing the Confederates as belligerents, a move subsequently followed by France and other nations [1]. Despite the blockade, blockade-running became an active industry, with Confederates establishing agencies in England to purchase arms [1].
In June 1862, the vessel later known as the "Alabama," originally "No. 290," was being built at Birkenhead and was nearly complete, appearing to be intended as a man-of-war [1]. On June 23, 1862, Mr. C. F. Adams forwarded a letter to Earl Russell from the U.S. consul at Liverpool, providing details about the vessel's character [1]. The law officers advised that the vessel ought to be detained if these particulars were correct [1, 3]. Sworn evidence was obtained and presented to the commissioners of…
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From the book
tes on the 13th of April 1861. On the 19th of April President Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of the southern ports. On the 14th of May the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality, by which the Confederates were recognized as belligerents. This example was followed shortly afterwards by France and other nations. The blockade of the southern ports was not at first effective, and blockade-running soon became an active industry. The Confederates established agencies in England for the purchase of arms, which they despatched in ordinary merchant vessels to the Bahamas, whence…
rpool in two British ships. Captain Semmes there took command of her under a commission from the Confederate government. After a most destructive career she was sunk off Cherbourg by the “Kearsarge” on the 19th of June 1864. On these facts the United States government alleged against Great Britain two grievances, or sets of grievances. The first was the recognition of the Southern States as belligerents and a general manifestation of unfriendliness in other ways. The second was in respect of breaches of neutrality in allowing the “Alabama,” the “Florida” (originally the “Oreto”, the…
was laid before the law officers, who advised that, if these particulars were correct, the vessel ought to be detained. On the 21st of July sworn evidence, which was supplemented on the 23rd of July, was obtained and laid before the commissioners of customs (who were the proper authorities to enforce the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1819), but they declined to move. On the 23rd of July the same evidence was laid before the law officers, who advised that there was sufficient ground for detention. By some accident, which has never been satisfactorily explained, but was probably…
← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 244259 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — "Alabama" Arbitration Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe “ALABAMA” ARBITRATION. —This is one of those arbitrations on pecuniary claims, made by one state, on behalf of its subjects, against another state, which are referred to in the article Arbitration, International . The case is important, both from a historical and a juridical point of…
. With respect to the “Alabama” claims the British commissioners suggested that they should be submitted to arbitration. The American commissioners refused “unless the principles which should govern the arbitrators in the consideration of the facts could be first agreed upon.” After some discussion the British commissioners consented that the three following rules should apply.
More questions about this book
- If you had to explain the "Alabama" Arbitration to a peer who knows nothing about it, how would you summarize the core dispute, identify the main parties, and articulate its historical significance as a means of averting war, using only the provided text?
- The British government declared neutrality but recognized the Confederates as belligerents. How could this seemingly neutral act contribute to the controversy surrounding vessels like the "Alabama," and what deeper questions does it raise about the definition and practical application of international neutrality?
- Beyond simply stating that the "Alabama" Arbitration averted war, articulate *how* the specific circumstances described in the text — particularly the construction of the vessel and the efforts to detain it — illustrate the vital role of international arbitration in resolving disputes that involve a nation's internal laws conflicting with international obligations.
- Consider the British government's position when faced with evidence about the "Alabama." What were the potential legal and diplomatic ramifications of *both* detaining and *not* detaining the vessel, especially given their proclaimed neutrality and the ongoing conflict, and how might these choices have impacted their international standing?