Synthesized answer
The Southern States seceded from the Union in 1861 due to the slavery question and established a separate government [3]. Hostilities commenced with the Confederate capture of Fort Sumter on April 13, 1861 [3]. Subsequently, President Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of southern ports on April 19, 1861 [1, 3].
On May 14, 1861, the British government issued a proclamation of neutrality, recognizing the Confederates as belligerents, a move followed by France and other nations [1]. This marked the escalation from a domestic conflict to an international dispute. In June 1862, the vessel "Alabama" was being built in Birkenhead, obviously intended as a man-of-war [1]. On June 23, the US consul at Liverpool provided particulars about the vessel to Mr. C. F. Adams, who forwarded them to Earl Russell [1]. The law officers advised that, if the particulars were correct, the vessel ought to be detained [1]. Sworn evidence was obtained and presented to the commissioners of customs on July 21, but they declined to act [4]. On July 23, the same evidence was presented to the law officers again, who advised there was sufficient ground for detention [4]. However, due to unexplained delays, the…
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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…
← 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…
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…
. 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
- The text states that the "Alabama" Arbitration is important "both from a historical and a juridical point of view." Imagine you're explaining this to someone who only understands one aspect: how would you articulate the distinct contributions of both historical context and legal principles to the significance of this case?
- Britain issued a proclamation of neutrality and recognized the Confederates as belligerents, yet the "Alabama" was being built in a British port, leading to demands for its detention. How would you explain to a friend the inherent tension or potential conflict in a nation's declared neutrality versus the actions occurring within its borders during a foreign conflict?
- The article highlights "the value of arbitration as a means of averting war." Based on the facts presented about the "Alabama," how did the diplomatic and legal processes surrounding this vessel, even before an arbitration decision, exemplify or reinforce this value?
- The "Alabama" was initially just a vessel referred to as "No. 290." What specific details and actions transformed this particular ship into such a significant and controversial object, capable of sparking international arbitration and becoming a "conspicuous example" of its value?