The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-11-30
Mr.. Gushing 10 ar. Marcy.

ATTORNEY GENERALS oFFcE,
October 22, 1855.
Sin have the honor communicate TO you the history
aud result of the proceedings in the OF the barque
"Maury,l Of New York.
la Consequence of the British minister's com punicaton
10 you Of the lh Instant and which you referred
on the day of It's receipt 1.-THE l2h brief instructions were
the day despatched by telegraph to Mr., Mckeon,
attorney Of the United States for the southern district Of
New York, and detailed instructions by mail the
next day requesting hum to make immediate inquiry into
the subject of the "Mauryp TO consult thereon with Mr..
Barclay the British consul at New York and, sufficient
probable appeared to institute the proper process
against her in the district court.
These instructions induced by the documents COM
inundated by the British minister copies of which
transmitted by me 10 Mr. Mckeon.
The documents consisted Of
l. An affidavit BY Mr. Barclay setting forth that he be-
eyed and expected to be able prove that the Mauy
built lifted out and armed with intent to be employed by
the Russian government to cruise against the subjects of
Great Britain and that he stood ready to bring forward his
proof thereof
officer in New York who PROCESSES describe the build
equipment armament, and cargo of the Maury, and
cndes with expression of belief that she built armed
and equipped by the Russian government for purposes
against Great Britain.
D. An affidavit of one Craft also purporung TO be po
lice officer in New York. who speaks more guardedy brief
~ describes the visible armament of the Maury repeats
hearsy to her freight and expresses his belief that she
is vessel-of-war.
4. Finally the affidavit Of Mr. Edwards counsellor-a
law in New York. understood to be counsel for the British
consul who that he verify believes that the Manry
built equipped and loaded by and for the Russian gov
ernmen he used in the present against the vessels
and subjects Of Great Britain.
Mr. Edwards then proceeds to state that person, who,
he believes has been in the pay OF the Russian government
gave him full explanation of the and desna-
ton of the Maury. He Mr. Edwards) gathered from the
person referred to- that the plan of the Maury 10 at
tack and capture of the Cunard British mail steamers
the prize and after being joined by other vessels of
the construction built and fitted out by the Russian
government to proceed to attack the British possessions
in the East Indies.
al
Edwards thus adopted grossly improbable their
face and had much the air of contrance to impose
him. and through him. the British consul to produce
some hesitation in my mind to the propriey of instu
ting process in the case but the specific and positive
statements Of Cornell and Craft especially the former to
the build rig armament and imputed contents Of the
sell seem to me- the whole to justify and require an ex
animation OF the case mt the hazard of possible nconve
nience to innocent parties
To make such examination eiectual, it necessary
to libel the Maury and place hef in charge of the
shall.
have now received from Mr. McKeon report Of the re-
suit of the investigation
II appears that the Maury owned in part by Messrs
A. A. Low Brothers, who have afforded satisfactory in
formation as to her construction, character and desti
nation.
They make affidavit that she was built and equipped for
trade with China having in addition to the ordinary
malent OF vessels in that business only two deck guns,
deemed requisite account of the increase of piracy in the
of China.
1t further appears by these explanations that the
ments made as to the guns and munitions OF war and
la sP"s oH po.iu Aituy were W ue
mildest admissible expression that the surmses TO the
egaliy of her character not subsanated by proof
and that she is in fact advertised for general afreigh
ment, and receiving cargo destined for Shanghai
Neither Mr. Barclay Mr. Edwards brought forward
any evidence to contradict these facts the contrary
Mr.. Edwards has, in letter addressed Mr. McKeon
pressed his intention of Diminishing the libel which is also
| recommended unreservedly by Mr.. McKeon.
Under these circumstances it affords pleasure TO
enable you give that the Cunard mail
may continue to enter and to leave ports without
apprehension of being captured by the Marry and
verted into Russian men-o-war for the purpose of HOSTILE
ties in the East Indies.
am, very respectfully,
Q CUSHING.
Hon. WIN. L. MARCY Secretary of State
The resolutions reported by the committee, motion,
yvere ma MI Admitted