The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-08
The Blockade OF the southern Ports.

From the London Post government organ), July 24l
question with regard to the blockade OF the cunfeie
rate ports has recently arisen which, believe will
cite considerable discussion both in this country e
United states II will be remarked that, more than four
months ago, Mr. Lincoln issued proclamation declaring
Blockade of all the American extending from the
mouth of the Potomac to the Rio Grande del Norte
Whether this blockade has been efficiently maiua aimed,
not along this immense line, stretching at least
thousand miles, bit at the entrance OF any sing river
port, is highly questionable 1t is well known that
Che blockade Of Charlestonthe very origin and, until
lately, the headquarters Of the secession men-
was at one time virtually raised by The removal OF the le
deral squadron further south. While Nj Lincoln Las
most honoraby and judciously abstaned from comns-
sonng privat-ers the Southesn confederation has fitted
out many vessels which, under letters Of margue have
deprecated with success upon "the small craft which
have ventured too the shore" This is the state
ment Of Commodore Stringham, the commander of the
federal blockadng squadron In this state Of things Tho
British Admiral the North American station has most
properly taken steps to protect British commerce the
coasts which, the hand subject to the federal
blockade, and on tie other the OF the operate
Of the Southern privateers letter from Fort ckcns
states that British rigate has arrived there from the
Havana The oilccr in command makes no secret OF his
mission. at - he says, to see that the rights If Eng
lish protected and that the blockade must
be such will prevent the entrance or departure Of any
craft from any ha Dor OF the South COASTER ocean
trader tcnrcr The writer then adds by way of com
mentary, " the Treaty Of Paris has not laid down any
rules by which we may know what Is and what is not
effective blockade" The declaration Of the Treaty Of
Paris concerning the blockade, which neither Mr..
Buchanan nor Mr. Marcy offered the slightest objection
in the following words &c Blockades in to be bind
ing must be elective; that is to say maintained by
enemy.n This declaration in TRUTH does nothing more
than confirm rule Of public law which has long been
enforced by the Admiralty Courts o England ard the
United States Its object TO protest against those
per bockaes which IN violation of public law, were at
early period Of this century esorted 10 by this coun
try in retaliation for the Milan and Berlin DEGREES Of the
then French Emperor. This point can be easily proved
by short quotation from the decision of Lord Sowe IN
the of the Stert:'The very notion Of complete
blockade includes that the bseging force apply ts
power to every point OF the bockaded State. Ii IT
not it is blockade at that point where power
not be brought to bear" The instructions which Admit
raj Milne stated to have given 10 the officer in
Of the rigatc strictly in accordance with the rule
laid down by Lord Stowell. No port is 20 be en-,
sffro nj iny Jockdded If any rsssel enter deyat
from Il sI,,t,toacn h. OF IN spit e. the M3ck98g s3asoa
Next an efficient blockade necessitaes the complete cut
ting of Of ell maritime ingress egross and lastly, the
senalizes the invalidty of the blockade II may be
doubted whether discreet officer Admiral Milne
would have written in detail instructions which certainly
the aspect Of agume natire lega opinion o. that
TIE officer command OF the frigate would have been
guilty of the folly of lnicatng those instructions
to the individual who directs his letter from Fort
Pickcns. But il this information be only ptrtialy
correct, il is clearly the duty OF the British Ad-
mra to protect British commerce from all unlawful M
is efficiently enforced Considering The vast amount Of
foreign which may be utterly ruined by the
sertion Of begerens rights which cannot be practically
enforced along line Of coast exen Tag from Virginia IL
Texas the federal authorities, formerly go jealous on tho
subject Of visitation and search, ought to be extremely
crcfr before they resort to tho system Of paper block
aes which will only irrtatc and annoy the commerce