Synthesized answer
To compel the British law officers to detain the "Alabama," I, as Mr. C. F. Adams, the United States consul, would present specific "particulars" and "sworn evidence" that would strongly suggest the vessel was intended for use as a man-of-war by the Confederate government.
The crucial "particulars" would be those indicating that the vessel, originally known as "No. 290" and being built by Messrs. Laird at Birkenhead, was "obviously intended for a man-of-war" [2]. This information was relayed to Earl Russell on June 23, 1862 [2]. Subsequently, on July 21 and July 23, "sworn evidence" was obtained and presented to the commissioners of customs, which the law officers advised was "sufficient ground for detention" [4]. The passages do not specify the exact content of this sworn evidence beyond its sufficiency for detention, nor do they detail all the "particulars" beyond the vessel's apparent intention.
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
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…
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…
. 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.
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…
d waters, and as to all persons within its jurisdiction to prevent any violation of the foregoing obligation and duties. The arrangements made by the commission were embodied in the treaty of Washington, which was signed on the 8th of May 1871, and approved by the Senate on the 24th of May. Article 1, after expressing the regret felt by Her Majesty’s government for the escape, in whatever circumstances, of the “Alabama” and other vessels from British ports, and for the depredations committed by these vessels, provided that “the claims growing out of the acts of the said vessels, and…
More questions about this book
- The text states the "Alabama" Arbitration "affords a conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war." Explain, using only the details provided, how the specific actions and circumstances described in this excerpt support this claim.
- Given the British government's "proclamation of neutrality," how might a contemporary observer reconcile this declared stance with the building of the "Alabama," an obvious man-of-war, by a British firm for the Confederates? What ethical or legal dilemmas does this situation present for a neutral nation?
- How did the Confederate strategy of establishing "agencies in England for the purchase of arms" and utilizing "blockade-running," as described, directly challenge President Lincoln's blockade and potentially complicate international relations during the American Civil War?
- Although the excerpt focuses on the "Alabama" incident, it contextualizes the conflict with the "slavery question" and secession. How might these foundational issues have influenced the British government's initial proclamation of neutrality and its subsequent (or delayed) response to reports about the "Alabama's" construction?