THE SINKING OF THE ALABAMA.'
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR." J
Sm,—Your invariable desire to do justice leads me to make a note on your review of Captain Winslow's life (Spectator, August 2nd), although somewhat late, owing to the time it takes for your valued paper to get here. Your reviewer says, in speaking of the sinking of the Alabama' by the Kear- Barge ' " The story of Captain Semmes's alleged breaking parole and escaping to Southampton is not to the credit of the Confederate officer." Nor would it be if the story were at all true. But the story is now given after thirty- seven years, when even your reviewer may have forgotten the facts of the ease. However, there are three irreproachable and disinterested witnesses to the fact that Captain Semmes never gave his parole and never violated any law of honour. First, Mr. Lancaster, the owner of the yacht Deer- hound,' which rescued the drowning men from the water, when the Kearsarge ' failed to send out her boats. He writes in- dignantly to the Daily News, saying : " As a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, I fail to see how I or any other English gentleman could fail to save drowning men ; nor could I deliver them to their enemy, for a British ship is British territory, and therefore neutral ground." Then Captain Semmes on his arrival in London was presented with a sword by the two clubs—the United Service Club and the Junior United Service Club—Admiral Anson acting as their mouth- piece, saying it was a testimonial to "unflinching patriotism and naval daring." Is it conceivable that these officers would join in doing honour to a man who had broken his parole P Lastly, her Majesty's Government, speaking through Lord John Russell, said : " The commander of the private British yacht 'Deerhound' in saving from drowning some of the officers and men of the Alabama' performed a praiseworthy act of humanity and Mr. Lancaster was not under any obligation to deliver to the Captain of the Keaxsarge ' the officers and men whom he had delivered from the waves ..... and her Majesty's Government are therefore entirely without any legal means by which, even if they wished to do so, they could comply with your demand." The verdict of English gentlemen and the English Government must stand now as well as it did thirty-seven years ago, for of all nations England has been the most careful of both personal and inter- national honour.—I am, Sir, &c., .
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