Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-07-06
Ian. .o,,he shlpplng interest.

important totthe shipping Interest.
We have been requested by her Majesy's Vice
Consel at this place to give publicity to the subolned
despatch from the Foreign Office, which is of great
Importance to neutral nations trading with Russia
during the present
FOREIGN OFFICE, June 6, 1855.
Sir The Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs at
St Petersburg has recently put in circulation state
ment, purportng to be representation of a commu-
nication made by Capt Watson, of her Majesty's
ship " Imperieuse to the Russian authorities at
Baltic port in clause OF which Capt. Watson is
alleged to have notified that foreign that is to say
neutral vessels, which might at that time be in Bal
tic port ght quit the port in ballast or with cargoes
which might not be Russian property, and from this
representation of the notification made by Capt Wat
son. the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs draws,
and publishes warning to neutrals, the inference
that the British Government has abandoned the prln-
ciple proclaimed last year by her Majesty, In her
declaration of the 28th of March, that her Majesty
will waive the right of Selling enemy's property
laden board neutral vessel, unless 1t be contra
band OF war;
In another passage of the statement of the Imperial
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Capt Watson is repre-
sented to have declared, in answer to the inquiry
whether neutral vessels allowed by him to depart
from Baltic port, after the establishment of the block
ade, in ballast with cargoes, would be at liberty
to pursue their voyage without risk of being detained
by any of her Majesty's cruisers which they might
|
such would be the case nasmuch as the Admiral
commanding the British feet might hereafter make
other arrangements
! Her Majesty's Government IS not surprised that
such publication on the part of the Imperial MIN
isry of Foreign Affairs at ST. Petersburgh has been
the cause of anxiety TO neutral powers, who
could not reasonably suppose that the Imperial Gov
eminent of Russia would resort 10 the expedient of
misrepresentng notification made to- Russian au-
thorities point deeply interesting to the COM
merce of States in amity with Russia
i Fortunately for the of truth and for the
lief of neutral powers from the embarrassment which
the statement put forth by the Imperial Ministry for
Foreign Affairs calculated to occasion, her Ma
jestys ship lmpereuse is at the present moment in
Portsmouth habOr having been obliged TO return to
England to repair damages sustained by her in col
lision with another of her Majesty's ships in the
Baltic. Her Majesty's Government have therefore
had the opportunity Of communicating directly with
Captain Watson and of ascertaning from him ex-
actlv what passed on the occasion in question and
neutral nations will learn that the Imperial Govern
of Russia has published t. the world, true,
statement which, as well as the inference that the
Imperial Government has drawn from it, is wholly
unfounded.
In regard to the first point namely, the alleged
prohibition to neuras TO export Russian produce on
departing from port placed under blockade by he1
Malestys cruisers, Captain Watson has laid before
, her Majesty's Government letter, dated the Isl
inst, from Lieut. DeKautZow of her Majesty's ship
lHpeIleus0-tue OulCeT eIIplO(eu ny Cdpdlu " dI
son communicate with the Russian authorities al
Baltic port which states as follows:
"Neutra ships lying in the harEor laden witt
Russian produce (rye and GIN were permitted to
and did actually proceed their respective voyages
The Governor asked if [ could promise that they
A would never be molested or inerered with in ans
0 wer, stated that the Proclamation Of Her Majesty
clear and concise and that he must abide by it
and in the event of their being captured, the CASE
=. would be judged by the Admiralty Court
t On the second point, namely, that Captain Watson
declined to give that vessels allowed b,
him to depart from Baltic port, would not be moleste
: on their voyage, the officer, Lieutenant D.
Kautzow states that the Governor asked permission
for four fishing boats without decks, be permite
to proceed to Riga, and that after had acquainted
you Captain Watson) with the same, we'll a
with the names of the neutral ships lying in thu
port, and their respective cargoes, conveyed to hin
your permission that they might proceed, at the sam
- time stating that you had no intention of moestn
:, the town, or any fishing boats but that you cou
not guarantee that boats of that description wou
Is never be molested. the Commander Chief wa
- expected, and might issue different ORDERS
, Her Majesty's Government abstain from comment
e ing upon the pursued by the Imperial Gov
y eminent of Russia in this matter; but have to in
- struct you to give all possible publicity this dis
:. patch in the country in which you reside.
- | am, sir. your most obedent, humble servant,
e (Signedl CLARENDON
~ ROBERT BUNCH Esq, Her Majesty's Consul
:, Charleston,