The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-06-25

Anesea Violation or the Rights Of Ncusrals
by Great Hritain-Lord ClArenI0n's CSnIra
election.
We have received from private source. up
on which reliance may be placed, a statement
Of the facts of the case attempted to be made
in o recent manifesto of the Russian govern
meDt against Great Britain, of departure from
the declaration made by the latter at the break
ing out Of the war, in reference to the rights OF
DeutraIs. 1t will be recollected that tue pria-
ciple which has always been insi tied upon by
this country, that the flag shall protect the car
60, was adopted to its full extent by all the bsl-
ligerents, with this limitation: that it should
not apply to articles :. contraband OF war"
The case put forth by the Russian govern
melt is this: 1t alleges that when Captain Wat
son, of Fl. B. M. ship Imperieuse, appeared in
the Baltic, in command OF the advance guard
OF the combined squadrons q short time since,
he sent communication to the Russian au-
ihorities, intlmating that foreign, that is
10 say, neutral ships, which might be at
that time in Baltic port, right quit
the port, but only in ballast, or with
property" It is added that when the inquiry
was put to Captain Watson, whether neutral
vessels allowed by him to depart from Baltic
port after the establishment of the blockade, in
ballast or with cargoes, would be at liberty to
pursue their voyage without risk OF being de-
tanned by any Of her Majesiys cruisers which
they might fall in with at sea, he replied that
bo oLo hit
case, inasmHch as the admiral commanding the
British feet might hereafter make other ar
ran gemeDts. From these imputed declarations
of Captain Watson the inference was sought to
be established that the British government was
about to abandon the principle of her declara-
ton Of last year, that she would not interfere
with enemy g property laden ON board neutral
ship, unless it was contraband of war.
These statements were contained in circular
addressed by Count Nesselrode to the Russian
Minister at Brussels, with directions that copies
Of it should be forwarded to the American Minis
tiers at London and Paris. r.Mason, acting with
out elaboration, adopted the Nesselrode view of
the matter, and hastily replied to the circular.
Mr.. Buchanan, who takes things more coolly,
before the English government, and asking for
an exclamation. Lord Clarendon promptly in
stituted an inquiry into the facts; and, il for
tunately go happening that an opportunity of
Immediately communicating with Captain
Watson presented itself, by the unexpected
return of the Imperieuse to Portsmouth, it was
at once ascertained that the Russian govern
had hooy p<oks 50,
in the matter, with what purpose it is difficult
to conceive, as it's statements could not remain
long uncontradicted. Lord Clarendon there
upon Immediately addressed copy of the
following circular to all her Majesty Is consul
lar agents abroad -
FOREIGN OFFICE, June 9, 1856.
SIR-The Imperial Ministry OF Foreign Affairs ct st.
Petersburg has recently put in circuiahona statement
purportng to be representation Of communication
MADE BY Captain WATSON, Of her Mssssy,s ship I'm
clause of which Captain Watson is alleged to have
notified that foreign, that Is to say neutral vessels
which might at that time be in Baltic port might quit
might no. be Russian property and this repre-
the Imperial Ministry Of Foreign Affairs draws, and pub,
hthes warming TO neutrals the Inference that the
British government has abandoned the principle pro-
claim. last year by her Majesty in her declaration Of
the 2sh Of March last that cher Majesty win waive the
trail vessel unless it be contraband of war;
In another passage of the statement of thu Imperial
Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Captain Watson is repre-
scented TO hsve declared to the inquiry
whether neutral vessels allowed BY him to depart from
Baltic port after the esabhshment Of the blockade
their age without risk Of being detained BY any of
her Msestys cruizers which they might fan in will. at
case, nssmrch as the admiral comm anding the British
| feet might hereafter make other arrangements.
Her Msestys government not surprised that such
publication ON the part Of the Imperial Ministry of
Foreign Affairs AT IT. Petersburg has been the cause OF
some anxiety to neutral powers who could not
bly, suppose that the imperial government of Russia
would resort to the expedent Of msrepresenting mott
fcation made to Russian authorities point deep
| Russia
Fortunately for the of truth and for the relic,
of nsutral po~ers from the embarrassment which the
statement put Imperial Ministry for Foreign
Affairs calculated to occasion, hes Msjessys ship
Imper is at present moment in Portsmouth hsr
bor havpg been obliged 10 return to England repair
damages sustained BY her in collision with another of
her Majestys ships in the Baltic Her Msjesty's gov
eminent have therefore Lad the opportunity Of
mupicatipg directly with Captain stson and OF asser.
tanning from him exactly what passed on the occasion
10 question: neutral nations will learn that the i'm
penal gov of Ruesa has published to the world
true, statement which, well the inference that
the imperial government has drawn from IL, is wholly
In gard to the srst point nan ely the alleged prohi-
bitten to neutras to export Russian produce depart
ing fiom bort placed under BLOCKADE by hsr Majesys
crnsers Captain Watson hiss laid before her Males.
TVS government letter dated the LIST instant from
Lieutenant lie Ksntzow, OF her Majesty's ship Impe
rieuae the officer employed by Captain Watson to nm
mupioste with the Russian authorities at Baltic Port
which states as follows
Neutral ships y in the harbor laden with Russian pro-
ducs rye and gn) were permitted TO- and d actually
coed their respective The Governor asked IL
could promise that they would be moesed inter
ored with In stated that the procs nation Of
Der Majesty and concise and that he abide
IT, and the their captured the would
be judged by the Admiralty Court
Or the second point, namely-that Captain Watson de-
clned to give that vessels allowed By him
to depart from Baltic ports would not be molestsd
their voyage-the zane officer ieutenant De Kantzow)
states
That the Governor asked permission for four fishing boats,
without DECKS be permitted proceed to Riga aud that
after had acquainted Captain Wasonl wthtte same
well with tbs OF the neutral ships lying In the
pert and their respective o.rgoes to him your
permission that they at the time stating
that you had intention Of molestng the
ing boats but that You could not that boats OF
that description would be mosted the Commander
Chief was expected and might issue different orders