The Express.
London, England, 1863-04-02 00:00:00

THE ALABAMA•

A return to an cider of the House of Commons
was published yesterday, containing copy " of ,or extracts
from the correspondence between the Commissioners of
Customs and the Custom-house authorities at Liverpool,
relating to the building, fitting-ont, mad sailing of the
Alabama."
The most important documents in this return are a letter
from the United States Consul at Liverpool to the Col.
lector of Customs, I detailing the strong grounds of
suspicion against the Alabama, and dated the 9th
of July ; and • letter from ,the Collector of Cus-
toms at Liverpool to the Commissioners of Customs, in-
diming the affidavit obtained by the United States Consul
as to the character and destination of the Teasel. The first
of these affidavits is that of the mariner William Pammore,
whose evidence is allowed b 7 the law officer, of
the crown to be so decisive as to afford ample
warrant for the detention of theyeameL This document proves
that the full legal evidence as to the character of the Ala-
bama was in the bands of the authorities upwards of a week
before the government acted ; and it also shows the en-
treats urgency of the case, as the collector of Customs
wrote on the 21at of Jaly, eight days before the govern.
ment order for the detention of the vessel was sent down :
" I shall be obliged by the board being pleased to inetruct
me by telegraph how 1 am to act, as tar skip appear. to be
ready fur sea, and .nay leave ono hour she pleases :"
Oopy of a Letter from the United States Consul to the Col-
lector of Customs, Liverpool ; dated Liverpool, July 9,

enable roe to gel on board Captain Butcher gave me a pass-
ward, the number " 290."
3. On the following Monday, which was, I believe. the
Sled day of Jens last, I joined the said reseal in Maus.
Intrd and Co.'s yard at Birkenhead, and I remained by her I
till &tardily Ind.
6. The said vessel is a screw steamer of about LlOO tons
burden, as far as 1 can judge, and is Inuit and fitted up as •
fighting ship iu all respects ; she has a inwaine and shot
and canister racks on deck, sod is pierced for guns, the
sockets for the bolts of which are laid down. The said
vessel has a large quantity of stores and provisions on
hoard, and she is now lying at the Victoria-whmt in the
Great Float at Birkenhead, where she has taken in about
300 tons of coal.
7. There are now about thirty hands on board her,
who bare been engaged to go out in her; most of them are
nice who have previously served on hoard fighting ships ;
and one of them ie • man who served on board the Confede•
rate steamer Sumter. It is well known by the bands on
board that the vessel is going out RI a privateer for the Con-
federate government to act against the Coded States under
commission from Mr. Jefferson Davis. Three of the crew
are,
_I believe, engineers ; and there are also some firemen
on board.
8. Captain Butcher and another gentleman have been on
board the ship almost every day. It is reported on board
the ship that Captain Butcher is to be the sailing-master,
and that the other gentleman, whose name, I believe, is
.• Bullock," is to be the fighting captain.
9. To the best of my information and belief the above-
mentioned Tamed, which I have heard is to be called the
Florida, is being equipped and fitted out in order that she
may be employed in the service of the Confederate govern-
ment in America to cruise and commit hostilities against the
government and people of the United States of America.
(Signed) WILLIAM .Pesamoax.
Sworn belong me, at the Custom-house, Liverpool,
this 21st day of July, 1862.
(Signed) S. Paws EDWARDS, Collector.

arciordance with a suggestion of Earl Rummell in
• communication to Mr. Adams, the American minister in
London, 1 beg to lay before you the information and cir-
cumstances which have come to my knowledge relative to
the gunboat now being fitted out by Messes. Laird at
Birkenhead, for the Confederate* of the Southern United
States of ADAMS, and intended to be used as • privateer
against the United States.
On my arrival, and taking charge of the consulate at
Liverpool in November last, my attention was called by the
acting consul and by other persons to two gunboats being or
to be fitted out for the so-called Coafedecau govere trot ;
the Oretu, fitted out by Mr. Miller and Mom Fawcett,
Winton and Co., and the one now in question. Subsequent
events fully proved the suspicion with regard to the Oreto
to be well founded ; she cleared from Liverpool in March
Let for Palermo and Jamaica, but sailed direct for Num,
where she is sew receiving her armament r a privateer for
the ea-called Confederate government ; and my Menem
was called repeatedly to the gunboat build/mg by Mr. Laird,
by various persons, who eased that she also wee for a
Confederate privateer, and was being built by the Mann.
Lir& for that express
In May let two officePre purpose.
piivateer, Sumter,
same& Caddy sad Beaufort, pared through Liverpool on
their way to Hamar and Nemo sad while here stated
that there was a gunboat building by Mr. Laird at Birken-
head for the Southern Confederacy, and sot lung after that
a foremen employed &boat the vessel is Yr. Lard's yard
stated that she was the alter of the Oretn, and intended
for the same service, and when premed for an explanation
further stated that she was to be a privateer fur the
Southern government u the United States-
When the vessel was first tried, Mr. Wellman, one of
the lino of Fraser, Treater and Co, (who are well known
as agents for the Confederate goverement), Andrew and
Thomas Byrne, and other parr, well-known as hiving
been for months actively engaged in amid* muerte of
DMZ for said government, were present, and have rem-
pried her on her various trials, se they had accompanied
the Onto on her trial trip and oa her departure.
In April last the southern emir steamer Annie Child,
which had run the blockade out d Charleston, sad the
name of which was changed at this port to the Julia
Usher, was laden with monitions of war, cresting of a
large grate of powder, rifled mar, /to, by Mira.
Freer, T and Co. for the error *Weds:soy,
and left Liverpool to rya the blockade UMW the comer
ef a CaMin Hammer, and having on hoard several of the
ROW of thip privateer Saeger, to which I have before re-
hrred.
For acre ream unknown this easel came leek and is
mow here. Braes her reams, a youth mined Berme, who
had me in her as a passenger. has stated that the gunboat
hadhag at Leirde for the Soothers Confederacy was a sub.
jar of inquiet cremation among the officers elide she
(the Julia Usher) was out. That she was all the time
maim at se • Coshderate noel, that Cerra Bullock was
to cosamed her, that the mosey for her was reseed by
Fraser, Tenho* sad Co. ; that she was sot to make cay
attempt to ran the bleskade, but would pat ones as a pri-
vateer ; that she was to most eleven gm, and that if the
Julia Usher was net Ong, the els men boat the Sumter,
who were on herd the Julia Usher, were to jein the ar-
bor. This yea*, bang a motive of New °TWOS, was en-
* may rem to get taken on board the gunboat, mod
wiled the perm be ramie the communication to, to Met
him and see Captain Ballook on his behalf. He hem, I un-
derstand, been removed to a school in London. With
edemas to his statement, I may Men% that
Captain Hammer refined to, in a South Curer,
limber airy years error, Trier* cad Oo's. employ,
is greatly trusted by them, sad is also intimate with Cap-
tain Ballo*, so Ms he would be likely to be well informed
ea the subject, and as be bad so whoa at that time of re.
taming to Limper, he word have no Milatien in speak-
ag of the matter to his elicene, and the memo from the
"Smarr " I y also elate that Captain Balker referred
to, iris Ileopen: ; that he is as *Goer of the Confederate
navy that he was sent over here for the expire pupae
of fitting out privateer and seeding over monitions of war ;
that he tracers his Mime at the office of Firer, Tree-
Men and Co. ; that he bas been all the time in cammuni-
eaten with Fawcett, Peeks sad Co., who fitted out the
Onto, and with Lairds, who are fitting out this veer ;
that he goes almost doily on board the gunboat, sod seems
to be recognised as is authority.
A Mr. Bier of Paredieustreet, is this town, who
famished the ears of the Laied grater also elated
that all the Mega and furter were selected by Capra
Baler, mid were 'abject te his approval, although paid
for by Mr. hied.
The etcetera on which I hove formed an undoubting
couvictios that the vessel I. being fitted out for the no-
called Coercing.* semairstord is intended to creme
against the orearearee of the United States. has come to
me from a miry of souree,atid I hive detailed it to yea
as far as practice**. I have given you the mar of parer
,making the statements, but as the information in most care
is grime to me by perms out of tritely feeling to the
United States, mid in err embrace, I mar star the
names of my ironer* but what I have stated is dark
a charier that inquiry will confirm its troth.
Everything about the veer shows her to be • war
vessel ; she has well-constructed magaziaes ; she has a num-
ber of canisters of a poacher and expensive correction for
containing powder ; she bee perms already mewed to
bar desks for the romper of swivel mins. leresil, the
fin t that the is • war vessel is not dried by the M.
Led, but they may alas is for the Spurr sommer.
This they elated on the 3rd of April Ma when Oral
Bersoyoe veiled their yard, sad wee shown over hand the
',ark= Teen b Mg built Mee by Mews. Jobs Lied.
Jam, and Hear H. lairel, as :ma telly repeated is the
papers at the time.
Mrs the statement, and having been already inferned
from no many respectable source* that she was for the m-
all* Carrera* government. I at roe arou to the
minister in Leaden to ascertain from the Spear embassy
whether the stalimeat was true. The reply was • positive
air canoe that she was pot for the Spanish government. I
am therefore surmised in saying that what was stated
on that occur, as well as statement,' ewe made, that Oreameek—Owe prised 51. for the MR and • second
the is for the Spanisk government, are untzue. prize of for the next best, work executed after a German
lam satisfied boyar a doubt that re is for a Confederate auemPle in the Green Vaults at Dreadem• DimeeMmet "-
was err cording to the tasted the embraidwer. (Photograph
If you dein any personal explanation or information I
awl to hem to attend you whenever
you may imq seat SUCZELOCII caner bold itself remissible for any red-
it.-1 am, lie., (Sired/ denteor damages of any rued, occurring at any time.
D„LiT. U.S. emaind. VII. Purr intending to compete should give notice, in
their owe mamas, or by cypher, to the Soarer of the
Copy of • letter from the Collector of Corneae, Liverpool, society of Attn. John-street, Add-
pot, W.C., 011 or before
to the Commiesionere of Customs, dated Liverpool, the 15th
July 21. 1862. VIII. Ear work must be marked with the named the
Honourable sire,—The United States cousul, accompanied art wormer or, if preferred, with • cypher, accompanied
by his solicitor, Mr. Squany, just bee. here with the by a sealed envelope, giving the name sad address cd
the
eritoemes, whom *Bretz are mimed, requesting me to art workman, and delivered free of all charges on or before
maze the gunboat alluded to is your hoootir's order of the the Mat August, 1863, at the Society of As Home, John-
15tb inst, No. 345, upon the evidence adduced by him, that street, Adelphi, London, W.C.—By order,
the gunboat has been fierier by Meet. Laird, of Bern- P. Ls Novs Poems, Secretary,
heed, for the Ceanderate got Grainiest el the Soothers
States.
The only evidence of importera as appears to me, le
that of William Pamore, who had engaged hems if as a
sailor to serve in the nisei. PRIMITON.—The favourable turn in affairs at
I shall feel obliged by the board being pleased to hater Preston, which we eotioed the other day, continues. At
me, by telegraph, how lam to act, as the, rip appears to ha the mediae of the guardians cm Tuesday, the Crimea
mg, for moo, sea may knee eey hoer ay *sum 1/....01. stated that this week in the urea Preston there were
fully, (Signed) FWD/ EDwAaps. on the parish books 9,021 cern, including 20,696 persons,
Nothing has been doss to her since my former whose relief had cost 1,63 W. la. 11d. Compared with
lion, nor has anything besides orbs bees pried ilesCrtfr .1
loot week them figures gem • avereme of 82 reams and
1,076 perms. TIN ;audios have of present in their
(Bigeed) S. P. E. employ 4,702 able-bodied make sod females, or 52 lees
I, William Pawnor of Beholder, is the county et than last week. At the meeting on Tuesday, • report was
Chester, mariner, make oath, and say as follows: I read from Dr. Burma, of the medial department
1. I am • seater and have served as much on board her the Privy Creed. who some timeego visited Prestos for
Maicoy's ship Terrible during the Crimea war. the purpose of making inquiries Motive to the health of
.2. Having been informed that leads were wasted for a the females aetemleW the iedmerill schools, it being
fighting vessel built by Memo Laird and Co., el Bekaa. stated that they were mot eo strong physically es mid ha
headh I appffed on Satarday, which was, I believe, the 21st amerla- The report, however, wet is tha whole sidarfeo•
day of June last, to Captain Basher, who, I was ieformed, 507 ia regard to those *teed* the school' of both the
was engaging men for the said vessel, for a berth ea relief emeoltle• ail the Pardons- "MI" to the
board her. relief committee, there has been a coriderable decree
3. Captain Butcher asked me if I *ow where the erg ' this week la the, Dumber of them ontheir hooka-, The
was reply to which I told him I did sot rightly fever appease DO DO stationery. The same number d =US,
usderstand about it. He then told me the real wee 88, em aimed this weak as net 5,624 oPereves are working
goieg oat tithe goyermsoest of the Coefederate States of fall lame. 752 five days per week. 2,000 four. 784 three.
Amu in. I asked him if there would be any figbtiug, to which 3,109 two, wed 14,955 see totally unemployed. The number
he replied, yes, they were going to fight for the Soothers of unemployed lAA week was 14,962.
government. I told him I had her need to fighting. Asirroo-ottora e. -Ltw—The weekly meeting of
vessels, ad showed him my paper. I asked him to irks I the board of Ironer was held en Monday. when it was
me signalman on board the vessel, and in reply he said that stated that e.. 8.060 perms had been relieved. at a rot a
ion articles would be signed until the vessel got Media hat 41644 19e. ; imams othe previous week 2F7, at • cast
he would ms me signalmen, ig they required eae, robes of 26L Haire of moose is the werkhear 379 ;
they et* Mire. I eorreep ailing week last year, 444. lift-rants relieved dreg
4. ma rid escsa. Baia. the, engaged me se able. I the week, 17. The Chaim* stated that re isomer el
mama on hoard th,- -mow e.t.a the wages dcr, me per ' persons relieved dreg the week was is emequeare of the
month ; sad it was imaged that I irld join the ship in relief committees amig to relieve prim whowere set
Perm. Laird sad Co.'s yidoa the following Monday. To factory operative

PRIZES FOE ART-WOAKILLASHIP.

The following memorandum on this subject
has been tinned by the Council of the Society
of Arts :
I. The Council of the Society of Arts hereby offer
prizes for the suorgesful rendering of the undermentioned
designs in the undermentioned promises of manufacture,
according to the directions detailed in each cage.
11. Such designs will be by artists of great reputation, to
be translated into the various modes of workmanship, and
photographs and outings of such designs will be sold by the
Society, at the Society's house, at omit pries to person de-
siring to be competitors. The pride of the photographs are
stated after each 'abject.
111. The works to be executed will be oons'dered to be
the property of the producers, but will be retained for exhi-
bition in London and elsewhere, for such length of time as
the council may thick desirable.
IV. The exhibitors are required to state in each case the
price at which their works may be gold, or if sold previous
to exhibition, at what price they would be willing to pro-
duce a copy.
V. The awards is each class will be of two grades, and
the rams specified in each class will be paid, provided the
works be considered of sulkiest merit to deserve the pay
meet ; and, further, in cases al extraordinary merit addi-
tional awards will be given, accompanied with the medal of
the
Vtaße2ore the award of prises is confirmed the candidate.
most be prepared to execute Kee piece of work sufficient to
eatidy the coned of their competency.
1. MODILLISO II MIRA COM, FLAME, 01 WAX.
(a.) The Human Tigers in boa relief.—Oar prise of 101
' for the beet, and • veered prise of 51. fat the nattiest, work
executed after Ethane% design of the '• Three Graces."
Diesssiong—The figures are to be 9 inches high. (Photo.
graph—Ono shilling )
(6.) Ornament is bes relief.—One prize of 5/. for the best,
and a second prise of 31 for the next best, work executed
after arabesques by Lucas van Leyden, 15:54. Dimen-
sions, 12 inches by 6 Mehra. (Photograph—Sixpence.)
2. asromes worm II •Irr.esgat.
(a.) The Human Figure as a biegebef.—A prise et 101.
for the best, and iffeconffp,rize of far the Next best, work
executed after Rafeelle's • Throe Graces.` Dimensioni—
ng figures ars is be four inches high. (Photograph—One
littreensest.--Ose pries of Si. for Aghast. end a emend
prised 3!. for the next best, work exsested after a Flemish
elver in the South Eassiegion Museum, date about 1670,
Na. 1,153. Disiesainne—Ten inches le deader. (Photo-
graph—Two shilling.)
3. HAIM= 10111, II 110 i. masa, oa corm.
Crnsinget.—One prigs of 51. for the bee, end a ennead
of 31. for the wet best, work executed after an ire.
German arabesque, about 1520, is the South Keosingtou
Museum, No. 2,450. Dimmer-12 when by li inch.
(Photograph—Ose shilling and threepence)
4. comma II worm
.

The Human PigLe inib;;;;liaCioS7prize of 101. for the
beet, sad • woad prime of 51. foe the sent best, work exe-
cuted after a tens oott• searibed to L dells Bobbie.
goat MO, is the Routh gee os Mors. No. 7,610.
Dinsmasiese—The *quo to he our incise high. (Photo-
ge•ph—Oas shilling.)
6. CHASING IS 1111:11%1

(a.) The Hunistacare.-0; Was of 101. for the best,
and • second prise of 151. for the next bed, work exeeeted
after • reduced copy of Gibere's Peers. A rough audieg
in bronze, co which the charier; not be executed, will be
supplied by the Society, price lb. A plaster est may be
obtained from D. Bruocinni, 39, Rusmalleaset, Covent-
prdea, W.C. Price 3s. 6d.
(t.) Onameot.--One prise of 51. for the bed, sad •
waned prise of 31. for the next beet, work executed after
• bronze plaque is the South liesiagtou Mumma,
No. 1,217. A rough outing in broom, on which the
chasing must be executed, will be supplied by the Society,
Plio, 1,-
6. =ANIL ram= OS DISTAL, 00ITSR, OR GOLD.
(e.) The Hama Itgire.—Oae prise of 101. for the beet,
and a sewed prise of 51. for the set best, work executed
after Bafaelle's design of the " Three Graces," executed is
Dimensions—The Agues me to be four inches
sA)llPhotrignipb—Oce
Onmaimat in grisaille.—One prise of 51. for the best,
sod • seenad prize of 31. for the asst best, work executed
after • German arabesque, 16th Den 7. Diusenicese—
The same as the photograph. —Sixpence.)
7. PAIKTISO ow roacm.am
(a.) The Boman Figure.—Ose prise of 101. for the best,
sad • sewed prime 51. for the neat bet, work executed
after Bafeelle'n "Boy bearing Dees," in the cartoon of the
"Beautiful Gate." Dimeesioes, the sue as the photo-
graph. The work is to be coloured soccerliag to the taste
et the painter. (Photograph—Nisepeoes.)
(b.) Oretneet—One prise of 51. for the best, sad a
mood prize of 31. for the next best, work executed after
arabesques by Laces Yea Leydee, 1528, tad coloured as
to the taste of the pester. Dinscoeioue—The
same as the photograph. (Photograph--Sixpeace.)
8. ISLAIR IS WOOD (IL&ROUSiRT, OS MIL), WORT OS

WITAL.

(b.) Ornament.—Otte Pis of 5/. far the busk cad a
mood prise of U. for the next best, wart executed after.
Meiotic& plata ia the South Kensington Museum, 1,490,
No. 1,671. Dinnamose—The tams as the photograph.
(Photograph—One glinting sad thrsepeocon)
9. ENGRAVING 01 GLAD.
(b.) Ornament. --Oa* prime of 51. for the bed end a sawed
puce of 31. for the next best, work executed after arabesques
Lucas Vs. Le7don, 1528, engraved the beight of the
• sod if round a shim or goblet, repented so as
e at lees thou Moo inches loag when stretched oat.-
1 (Photograph—Sixpence.)

lb