Daily national Democrat., 1861-06-12
Letters of Maruue.

The Mobile Mercury publishes the follow
ing copy of the letter of marque which Jeff.
Davis is trying to issue:
l. The tenor of your commission under the
Act of Congress, entitled "An Act recognizing
the existence of war between the United
States and the Confederate States, and con-
cerning 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 within 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 commission within
the distance of the shore of the nation at war
with the United States, and even on the
waters within the jurisdiction of such nation,
if permitted to do so.
2. You are to pay the strictest regard to
the rights of neutral Powers and the usages
of civilized nations and in all your proceed
nes toward neutral vessels you are to give
them as little molestation or interruption as
will consist with the right of ascertaning
their neutral character, and of OBTAINING and
bringing them in for regular adjudication in
the proper cases. You are particularly to
avoid even the appearance of using force or
seduction, with the view to deprive such ves-
sells of their crews or the passengers other
than persons in the military service of the
enemy.
s. Towards enemy vessels and their crews
you are to proceed in exercising the rights OF
war, with the justice and humanity which
characterizes this Government and its citi-
2ens.
T. The master, and one or more of the
principal persons Of the captured vessel, are
to be sent, as soon after the capture as may
be- to the Judge or Judges of the proper
Court in the Confederate States, TO he exam
ined upon oath touching the interest or pro-
perly of the captured vessel and her lading /;
and at the same time are to be delivered to
the Judge or Judges all papers, charter par
ties, bills of ladiug, letters and other documents
and writings found on board and the said
papers to be proved by the affidavit of the
commander Of the captured vessel, or some
other person present at the capture to BE-
pr, duced as they were received, without
fraud, addition, subtraction or embezzIement.
s. Property, even of the enemy, is exempt
from seizure on neutral vessels, unless it be
contraband of war.
If goods contraband Of war are found on
board any neutral vessel and the commander
thereof shall offer to give them up, the offer
shall be accepted, and the vessel be left at
liberty to pursue its voyage, unless the quan
tity of contraband goods shall be greater than
can 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 10y this
Government contraband of war as well as ali
others that are SO declared by the laws Of na-
tons:
All arms and implements, serving for the
purpose of war by land or sea, such as can
non, mortars, guns, muskets, rifles, pistols $,
petards, bombs, grenades, balls, shot, shell,
pixies, swords, bayonets, javelins, lanccs, horse
furniture, holsters, and generally all other
implements of war.
Also, timber for ship building, pitch, tar,
rosin, copper in sheet, 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 character and
are liable to capture and condemnation But
this rule does not apply to neutral vessels
bearing dispatches from. thespublic Ministers
and Ambassadors of the enemy residing in
neutral countries.
BY the command of the President of the
Confederate States
ROBERT TooMBs, Sec'y of State.