East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-06-13
President Davis's Instructions "a
Private Armed Vessels.


President Davis's Instructions "a
Private Armed Vessels.
/. The tenor of your commission, un-
der the act of Congress entitled "An act
recognizing the existence of war between
the United States and the Confederate
States, and concerning letters of marque,
prizes and prize goods" copy of which
is hereto annexed, will be kept constantly
in your view. The high seas referred to
in your commission you will understand
generally to refer to the low-water mark;
but with the exception of the space with.
in one league, or three miles from the
shore of countries at peace with the Uni.
ted States and the Confederate States
You nevertheless execute your commits.
sion within the distance of the shore OF
the nation at war within tho United
States, and even on the waters within
the jurisdiction Of such nation, if permit.
ted to do so.
2. You are to pay the strictest regard
to the rights of neutral powers and the
usages of civilizations; and in all your
proceedings towards neutral vessels, you
are to give them as little molestation or
interruption as will consist with the right
of ascertainning their neutral character,
and Of OBTAINING and bringing them in
for regular adjudication in the proper
cause.
You are particularly to avoid even the
appearance of using force or seduction
with the view to deprive such vessels Of
their crews or passengers, other than
persons in the military service of the
enemy.
3. Towards the enemy's vessels and
their crews you are to proceed in exer-
cising the rights of war, with all the
justice and humanity which characterize
this government and its citizens.
4. The master, and one or more Of the
principal persons belonging to the cap
tured vessels, are to be sent, as soon after
the capture as may be, to the Judge or
Judges of the proper Court in the Con-
federate States, to be examined upon oath
touching the interest or property of the
captured vessels and her lading; and at
the same time are to be delivered to the
Judge or Judges all papers, charter par
ties, bills Of lading, letters and other doc
uments and writings found on board |;
and the said papers to be proved by the
affidavit of the commander of the cap
tured vessel, or some other person pres
ent at the capture, to be produced as they
were received, without fraud, addition,
or embezzelment.
8. Property, even of the enemy, is ex-
empt from seizure in neutral vessels, un.
less it be contraband of war.
If goods contraband of war are found
on any neutral vessel, and the commander
thereof shall offer to deliver them up, the
offer shall be accepted, and the vessel
left at liberty to pursue its voyage, un-
less the quantity of ccntraband goods
shall be conveniently received on board
your vessel, in which case the neutral
vessel, may be carried into port for the
delivery of the contraband goods. The
following articles are declared by this
government contraband of war, as we'll
rs all others that are 50 declared by the
laws of nations, viz:
All arms and implements serving for
the purpose of war by land or by sea,
such as cannons, mortars, guns, muskets,
rifles, pistols, petards, bombs, grenades,
balls shot, shell, pixies, swords, bayon.ts,
lavelins, lances, horse furniture, holsters,
belts, and generally all other implements
Of war.
Also, timber for ship building, pitch,
tar, rosin, copper in sheets, sails, hemp,
cordage, and generally whatever may
serve directly to the equipment of vessels,
wrought iron and planks only excepted.
Neutral vessels conveying enemy's dis
patches, or military persons in the service
Of the enemy, forfeit their neutral char
lcter, and are liable to capture and con-
1emnation. But this rule does not ap-
ply to neutral vessels bearing dispatches
rom the pu Bile ministers or am bas sadors
,f the enemy residing in neutral coun.
.ries.
BY the command Of the President of
The Confederate States.
ROBERT TOOMs, Secretary of State.
=