The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-05-16


THE CoERcIvE PoLIcY.-To show still fur
Their the extent of the policy adopted by the
Federal dministration, copy the follow
Ing circniar OF instruction to Collectors and
other officers OF the toms the Northern
| and Northwestern waters of the United
States
On the 10th day of April, 1861, the Presi-
dent OF the tnised States, by proelamation
declared the ports of South Carolina, Georgia
Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississinpi
and Texas under blockade, and on the 9th of
the same month, by another proclamation
declared the ports of Virginia ana North Car,
DINA also under blockade, since which procla-
nation this Department has received reIia-
bic information, that attempts are frequently
mace TO furnish arms, munitions of war
provisions and other supplies 10 persons and
parties IN those States in open insurrection
against the constitutional authorities of the
Union. 1t becomes my duty, therefore, to in
stfuct you 10 cause q careful examina tion to
be made Of the manifests of all steam or
other vessels departing from YOUR port
with cargoeS whose ultimate des tina tion
you have satisfactory reason to believe is
tor any port or place under the control of such
insurrectionary parties, and TO compare the
same with the cargo on board and if auy
such manuests be found to embrace any arti-
cleS OF the description before entioned or
| any such articles be found to constitute part
OF the cargo, you Will take all necessary and
proper means to prevent thu departure of the
vessel, and TO detain the same in YOUR C stody
until all such articles shall be removed there
IIOi1l, ioF IuTtner proceedings according
law. on VIII also make a careful exanina-
ton OF all Hatboats and other water craft
without mahliests, and of railroad cars and
otnef Fthlcles, arriving al leaving YOUR
port, Iaden with merchandise, the ultimate
destlnatlon OF which you have good reason to
oeiieVe Is Tor any port or place under insur-
rectionary control; and if arms, munitions of
war, provisions or other supplies are found
naVing sucn destination, you will seize and
oe tam the same to await the proper legal pro-
ceedlngs Tor confiscation or forfeiture.
IN carrying out these Instructions YOU will
bear IN nina that all persons or parties in
armed lhsurrection against the Union, how
ever such persons or parties may be organized
or named, are engaged in levying war against
the United States; and that all persons fur
niSDlng To such insurgents arms, munitions of
war; provisions, or other supplies are giving
them ald and comfort, and so guilty of treason
within the terms of the third section of the
third article of the Cons titu ton And you
Will, therefore, use your utmost vigilance and
endeayor TO prevent the prohibited shi hipments,
ana 10 detect and bring TO punishment ali
VINO are IN any way concerned in furnis hing
TO sueh insurgents any of the articles above
described. You will, however, on the other
hand, be careful not 10 interrupt yexatiously
or beyond necessity, by unwarranted or pro-
tracted deten tious and examinations the reg
uiar and lawful commerce of your port. You
VIII report forth ith whether any, and if
any, what additional measures may be neces-
sary in your Judgment to carry into full effect
the foregoing resolutions, and you will report
to this Department from time TO time your
action under these instructions.