The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-27 00:00:00

The Seizure of the Georgia,

The most erroneous statements have been circulated
with regard to the seizure of the Georgia by the
N iagara. The errors have been promulgated by
Federal agents and sympathisers, evidently for the
prurpose of allaying the excitement which the out-
rage has occasioned, and, if possible, to prejudice in
the public mind the position of her owner, Mr,
Edward Bates. The perfect good faith and candour
with which Mr. Bates has acted in reference to the
Georgia is the best answer to these misstatements.
Mee more fully the facts become known the more
unwarrantable will appear the seizure of the vessel;
and it is, no doubt, the knowledge of this circums
stance that has prompted the circulation of the errors
in question. It has been asserted in some quarters
that the seizure was made with the cognisance and
sanction of the British Government. This is simply
untrue. The commander of the Niagara has acted
solely on his own responsibility, and in accordance
with the orders of his Government. It has also been
alleged. that Mr.l3ates was not a bonafide purchaser,
and that the vessel was still intended for the Cone
federate services. These statements, cum multis
alas, are likewise mere fiction.
But it is needless to go through all the specious
misrepresentations. They will be best refuted by
a simple ungarnished explanation of the facts. Mr.
Bates has nothing to conceal as to his connection
with the Georgia, because all his dealings with her
have been characterised by the same rectitude and
frankness evhich have raised him to the first rank
amongst Liverpool shipowners. He is well known
to have scrupulously avoided any partisanship in
the American war, and has never had the slightest
interest in the blockade business. To suggest that
he intended to use the Georgia for the benefit of
Confederates is contrary both to fact and experience.
When seized she was on a peaceful mission, fitted
out as an ordinary merchantman. She bore the
English flag and was registered at an English cuss
tom-house, and was therefore entitled to all the
privileges of a neutral trader.
The history of the Georgia since she came into
the Mersey may be told with the utmost candour,
and is briefly this :—As she had ceased to be useful
as a men-ofswar, she was offered for sale by the
Confederate Government, who had previously diss
mantled her and removed all warlike weapons and
stores. Having entered into negotiations for her
purchase, Mr Bates communicated with the custom
,house authorities as to the manner in which they
es Tould regard the vessel. Mr, Price Edwards, the
cc Hector, acting on instructions received from Lon-
do 0, informed Mr Bates that he would be able to
obtain a register for the ship when he applied for it.
Upon this assurance—and Mr Bates would have
had nothing to do with the vessel unless ho was as-
sured that she was registered es a British ship—
the purchase was completed on the 2d of June last ;
the necessary formalities were gone through to the
satisfaction of the collectcr of customs, and the
Georgia was accordingly registered on the 30th of
June as a British ship, in the name of Mr Bates.
The new owner had therefore taken all proper
precautions to see that his title was indisputable,
and careful scrutiny left no ground to suppose that
the slightest difficulty would occur. Negotiations
were entered into between Mr Bates and the re-
presentatives in England of the Portuguese Goa
vernment, who were desirous of engaging a steamer
to proceed to Lisbon, and thence to the Portuguese
settlements on the West Coast of Africa. These
negotiations resulted in the engagement of the
Georgia upon terms which aro explained in the
charter-party, dated the 28Lh July, and may thus
summarise its chief clauses :

" The agreement is between Edward Bates, owner of the
good screw steamship called the Georgia, of 618 tons gross
register, and 200 horse-power ; and Mr F. J. Van Zeller,
on behalf of the Portuguese Government. It provides
that the said vessel or steamer, being• tight, stanch, and
strong, and in every way fitted fa. the voyage or service,
with the full complement of officers, seamen, engineers,
and firemen, adapted to a merchant steamer of her class and
tonnage, shall be placed under the direction of the said
charterer or merchant, or his assigns, to be by him or them
employed for the conveyance of lawful merchandise, except
sugar, molasses, or any article injurious to an iron ship—of
course 20 tons each of sugar and molasses or any quantity
of copper the ship can carry is not objected to—as follows :
—From Liverpool to Lisbon, awl from thence to Cape de
Verde, principe S. Thome, Vanguella, Loando, Nassamda,

Ambriz, and return to Lisboa, calling at thg above ports on

the return to Lisbon. There are the usual stipulations as
to hire and management, and the agreement proceeds .
The vessel to be consigned to the Companhia Luzitania
at Lisbon, and to their agents at all the ports of call, free of
commission or charges of whatsover kind, owners taking
down bulkheads in atter. cabin, except last ; making saloon
an open one; berths 'tween decks aft to be taken down by
owners, and the charterers allowed the use of material form-
ing same to put up berths for 20 second-class passengers;
after-cabins to be properly painted a light colour; vessel to
be ready for delivery to charterers ou or before the Ist of
August next, or sooner if ready; the coal bunkers in the
hold available for cargo if required.' The charter-party
also sets forth that it is distinctly understood and agreed
between the parties that the owner does not provide any
servants, stewards, or any other party to wait upon the
passengers, or any one connected with the charterers,' and
that the' owner provides provisions and water for his own
crew; passengers, or their servants or followers are to be
found in everything eatable or drinkable, or in any other
way (save as specified to the contrary) by the chartereis.'"
This document on the face of it indicates an ordi-
nary mercantile transaction, and is the strongest
refutation of the allegation that Mr Bates was en-
gaged in any doubtful enterprise, in which the Pore
guese Government was made a decoy deck. In ful-
filment of the charter party the vessel was got
ready for sea, and took on board 434 tons of coal
belonging to the Portuguese Government. This was
the only cargo embarked, and Mr Bates had nothing
of his own on board except the usual ship stores and
provisions for the crew. The Georgia's name was
never changed, as there was not the least desire to
conceal her original character, and she was regis-
tered as the British ship Georgia. She was placed
under the command of Captain Widdycombe, and
her crew were shipped for a commercial voyage in
the usual course of business. It is said that Captain
Widdyccnabe is an old blockade runner. This is a
gross misrepresentation. For the last 16 years he
has been in the uninterrupted employment of Mr
Bates, and exclusively engaged in trading between
the Mersey and India and China.

The Georgia was ready to sail on the sth, and
the circumstances attending her detention are gene-
rally known. Bat the official correspondence be-
tween Mr Bates and the Portuguese authorities
throws considerable tight on the manner in which
the former regarded the threatening attitude of the
Niagara on her visit to the Mersey. 6o convinced

was he that the Federal frigate would not dare to

seize a British merchantman that he characterised
the report as "old women's talk," and professed his
readiness to send the ship to sea notwithstanding the
threats of the Federal cruiser. I❑ accordance with
this determination Mr Batee—who had full con&

dence in the power end will of Great Britain tjsuP.
sort her authority over her own mercantile marine
—did actually despatch the vessel as soon es he had
the orders of the Portuguese consul-general to that
Effect. The following communications speak for
themselves, and may be relied upon as genuine, as
we copy from the originals, which have been placed
a GUZ service without reserve :
Mr E, Bates, Liverpool.
Liverpool, Aug. 5, 1864,
Sir,—l have received instructions from my Minister in
London to detain the Georgia (s.s.) until further orders.—
I am, sir, yours respectfully,

ALVARO CA.RNEIRO GERALDES,
Acting Consul for Portugal.

(fulei;rata.)
lrum V4U. Zoller, Consul-General, Loudon, to Edward
tutee, Rumford-place, Liverpool.

haNt.! ill3t h 6. g'64.
ca ptute Geor g heard front T iverpool. Niagara waiting to
pia outside English waters. If you are afraid
I will cancel charter, you returning charter money, and
pay for coale, Otherwise, Fend her to sea at once.

(Telegram.)
- (L-
Au7.r. 6, 1864.
al
Edward Rate, Liverpool, to v:,_
Per:ugal, LotamiZon.Aler' Consul
lam not afraid. Only old vrem,,:a's talk. Send orders
from yfmr Minister, and chip elntll go to
mea. _
---- ,

Telegram hem Van Zoller, London, to Edward Batea,
Liverpool.

Aug. 6, 1861.

Send the Georgia to ~ea at once.

(Telegram.) Aug, 6, 1864.
Edward Ihtes, Livcrpco, to Van ;Mier, Consul Gellert.'

Portugal, London.
Your telegram to hand. Mud; have orders frog: Portu-

guese Minister through Liverpool Consulate, as the order
for detention, came through same channel. Get this done
immediately, or Georgia will not sail.

Portuguese Consulate, 42, South Jo ir.-street,
Liverpool, Aug. 8,1864,
E. Bates, Esq., Liverpool.
Sir,—l have just received an official Triter from 'my
Minister in London. who orders me to tell you to send the
Georgia as soon as you have orders from the Consul-Gene-
ral in London to do so.—l have the honour to be, sir, yours
very respectfully, ALVARO CARNEIRO GERALDES,
Acting Consul for Portugal.

(Telegram.) Portugal, Aug. 8, 1864.
Edward Bates, Liverpool, to Consul-General, London.
I have just received orders to let Georgia sail on re-
ceiving your orders. Please send them at once.

(Telegram.) Rumford.place, Aug. 8, 1864.
Van Zeller, London, to Edward Bates, Liverpool.
Send steamer to sea at once.

Portuguese Consulate, 42, South John-street.
Liverpool, Aug. 8, MI.
E. Bates, Esq., Liverpool.
Sir,--As I have to inform my Minister of the precise
time of the departure of the steamer Georgia, I request you
to inform me by writing of same as soon as she sails,—l
remain, sir, yours respectfully,
,ALVARO CARNEIIW GERALDES,
Acting Consul for Portugal.
The subsequent history of the Georgia is soon
I told. She sailed from Liverpool on the Bth inst.,
and proceeded on her voyage under the British flag,
but off Lisbon, on the 15th inst., she was seized by
the Niagara, which was cruising about for the pur-
pose of intercepting her. The Georgia is now on her
passage to Massachusetts in charge of a prize crew.
It is a novel thing for a British ship, with a bona
fide British register on board, and admittedly en.
gaged in legitimate commerce, to be forcibly taken
and sent into a prize court upon the pretext that
at some former perisd, and while under different
ownership, she was engaged in hostilities against
the Federal States. Neither Mr Bates nor the Por-
tuguese Government can submit to this audacious
appropriation of their property. It rests with the
British Government to set Mr Bates right ; his pro-
perty has been seized in violation of all lawful
authority, and as his injury will be immediately laid
before the Foreign-office, the Government must
take prompt measures not only to recover the ship
herself, bat also to obtain suitable compensation for
the injury.—Liverpool Daily Courier.

RAILWAY AND OTHER COMPANIES.

WEST LONDON.

The half yearly meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, Tokenhou3e-yard—Mr S.
Bird in the chair.

The directors reported that they had not yet con.
chided the proposed arrangements with the West
London Extension Company with a view to the ex-
tinction of this company, but that they would use
their best endeavours to accomplish that object, and
they recommended the reappointment of the com-
mittee of shareholders named on Sept. 2, 1862, to
co-operate with them. Tie statement of accounts
showed a balance in favour of the company of £674.
The report and statement of accounts were
adopted.

Some shareholders expressed their dissatisfaction
,hat the negotiations with the West London Ex-

tension Company were so long pending, and the
meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN.

On Wednesday this company opened with much
ceremony a new line 13 miles in length, connecting
their Manchester and Liverpool line at Eccles with
the North Union line at "Wigan. Leaving Eccles
in a north westerly direction the line passes through
\%rorsley (the seat of the Kiri of Ellesmere), Ellen-
brook, Tyidesley, and Chowbent. As a passenger
line it will to some extent be a competing live with
the Lancashire and Yorkshire to Wigan and the
north, but its chief value is as a mineral line. It
opens up not only some old coalfields, but the whole
tract through which it passes is one continuous
coal field, a good deal of the ground being under-
laid with beds of coal. Among the coalfields in
working are those of the Earl of Ellesmere, at
Worsley ; of the Astley and Tyldesley Coal and
Salt Works Company ; of Green and IL-Wands; of
Messrs. Fletcher of the Moss; Hall and Co. ; and of
the Hindley Green Company. The line also passes
many large cotton and silk mills that will furnish
traffic. The villages of Worsley, Tyldesley, Ellen-
brook, and Chowbent will also supply passenger
traffic. A dinner was given at Tyldesley to cele-
brate the event.