New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-07
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.

RUNNING THE BLOCkADE.
We suggested, fortnight ago, that the most
effectual blockade of any Southern port-where
such measure is possible, as, for instance,
Charleston and Savannah-would be to render
it's channel impossible. To escape the vigilance
of cruising squadron is not, as all history
proves, difficult matter, and the facility Of
doing SO in this age Of steamships is immensely
increased. In all the European wars of the
last seyenty.fve years where blockndes have
been attempted, the trade carried on with the
interdicted countries has been immense in
spite of fleets; it is idle to expect that our
own prohibition OF commerce along our hun
dreds Of miles of sea coast is 10 prove an eI-
ception. How many ships and Other vessels
have run in and out of Southern ports, what
quantities Of arms, of provisions, aud munitions
of war have been thus conveyed TO the rebel
forces within the last three months. it is i'm
possible to tell but as We know that
the war was not undertaken without care
full forethought, that the conspirasors used
Floyd, long before the Rebellion was an overt
act, to dsarm the Goyernm"nt. 10 deprive it
Of navy, and TO secure for themselves the
weapons which they have turned against 1t, 80
it is not at all likely that they neglected other
means to put Themselves in condition to carry
out their reasonable purposes. Certainly II
they made arrangements to purchase arms IN
Europe, as seems highly probable, they have
been successful in running them into Southern
ports, for none, that we know Of have ever
been intercepted. Nor is the British steamship
Bermuda, reported to have gone into Savannah
a few days ago, laden with arms, the only
vessel that has thus carried aid and comfort TO
the enemy.
That the Bermuda has been thus successful
we have no doubt. A gentleman arrived here
last week from Savannah, by way of Louis
vile, who assures us of the fact, and as be is
youched for to us az a man in whose word
implicit reliance may be placed, we see no
reason for doubling his statement. 1t is in
itself, moreover, entirely credible.
He assures us that Mr.. Edward G. Ander-
son, an ex-Msyor of Savannah, went over 10
England in Lord Ducie's yacht America
which was, if our memory serves US, in the
port of Charleston some time in June, for the
express purpose of buying arms. The Bermuda
was sent out by Mr. Anderson and brought
! G, 500 Enfield rifles purchased by him. This
we understand from our informant is only one
installment Of Mr.. Anderson's purchases,
as three to five more steamers are
ID co. at oh
TO bring arms. The Bermuda gets, of course
high freight on these arms, but her profit
will be still larger on return cargo of cotton,
should she be as fortunate in getting out as
she was in getting in; and the double chance
of a good voyage both ways is inducement
enough for all these steamers to take the risk
of capture The Bermuda, il seems, was eI-
pected, and may, possibly, have been signaled
somewhere on the cost At any rate, at the
precise moment to suit her convenience a
heavy cannonading was opened at a distant
post by the Rebels, and the blockading squadron
FASTENED thther to ascertain its cause. When
out of sight, the Bermuda slipped in. She took
risk which there are always men enough
ready TO take in time OF war with the hope of
great gain, aud we, of course, are without
remedy. Were Savannah closed by proclamation
as a port of entry We might have some ground
of complaint to urge to the British Govern.
ment at the evasion of our laws by her sub
iects But as the case now stands her suifi-
cient and very proper answer would be-you
have proclaimed blockade, and the whole world
has o right to break il if you can't maintain its
integrity But if one department of Government
does not think il best TO close Savannah by law,
we pray that another department will close 1t
with hulks. Two or three in the channel of Ty-
bee Light fortnight ago would have been loss
to the Rebels of six thousand five hundred Enfield
rifles, and the sale of cargo of cotton. If done
now it will prevent the entrance OF the expected
steamers, and il is better to rely on material OBJ
staclc 20 impossible than upon the chance OF the
squadron not being again enticed away by some ne"
" dodge, or the luck being next time with our
ships. Tho loss is too much aud tho gain too