Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-16
The British Government and LIncoIn,s
blockade of the Southern Ports.

1AeGAAoG VI INC SOutAoIn GeEhes
In the House of Commons on the 2sth of May
Lord JoHN RESELL produced copies of a CORES
pondence with the Government Of the United States
and said
When Lord Lyons applied for an official notifiea-
cation of the establishment and commencement of
the blockade, he told by the Secretary of State
that il was not usual to make such notification,
but that it weuld be made by the different naval
commanders az the several ports when the blocade
was instituted. 1t results from the correspondence
that the blockade is to be notified in that manner
and that one blockade he's already been so notified
that of the ports of Virginia and North Caro-
lima BY flag officer Prendsrgrast who has declared
that he is in situation to make efficient block
aie of these ports. There has been no notification
Of similar kind with regard to the ports of the
other States which it was declared were also to be
blaekaded The rules, so far as Lord LyC rs has
been able to ascertain them, and of which he has
given an account TO Admiral Milne, comma ldin2
the squadron in these waters are, first that the no
LITIGATION Is in each place to be made by the naval
officer commanding the squadron or the ships winch
institute the blockade; and. in the next place, that
fifteen days to be allowed, after the establish
ment of the blockade for vessels to come out of
the ports. 1t appears that whether they were
loaded or not at the time the blockade was estsb-
hshed provided they come out within fifteen days,
their passage is to be allowed. On the other hand
it is not permitted by the United States govern
ment that vessels should be sent to ports
which are blockaded for the purpose of bring
ing away the property of British subjects the
vessels or property of other nations. An applica
ton for such permission was made. to which the
Secretary of State replied that if such q facility
were granted it would be used by American citizens
wishing to bring away property. Lord Lyons ends
his communication TO Admiral Milne very properly
He says that if the blockade is carried into effect
according to the rules established by the law of ma
tons, we must of conform to it: and that we
can only see that the blockade is sufficient and reg
ular. CHear, hear
Mr. Bouverie SAID: In the question Of notification
of blockade to which refe renee has been made, q
mstter which is very important for the CONNER cal
interests Of the country is involved. The rule, /
believe, is this-public notification must be given
to the State of which neutral who seeks to violate
8 blockade is 3 member, before he can be held to
have subjected himself to forfeiture of his vessel
and goods; or actual notice must have bee given
to the neutral himself. The House viii see that
this most important question because the intent
to sail TO blockaded port, as to which neutral
merchant has received notice of blockade. is con
sidered as violation of neutrality, and the ship
will be accordingly condemned in the prize court of
the capturing power He wished the noble lord
would state distinctly whether not the mercantile
interests of this country were 10 understand that
he had referred would be gwen; that merely al
ntmation of the blockade to neutral ships arriving
off those ports would be given to them when they |
got there.
was understood to say cannot give any further !
to my right honorable friend with re-
gard to the blockade; but the papers the subject
will shortly be laid the table, and when they
submitted the House will be in possession of the
state of the case But my right honorable friend
will understand that whatever the form of nGtifca.
ton of the blockade may be, there is former pre-
cedent that applies fully to the present proceedings
Mr.. Seward has not given general notification OF i
blockade but has left it to the naval officers COM
oOh
blockaded and when that blockade has been insttu>
ted it is to be considered regular. will not now go
into questions that may have to be argued and de.
cded hereafter in the prize courts with regard to
the regularity of the blockade. No doubt the gov
eminent of the United States have fnlly considered
existing precedents before it took the course it has
done. With respect to the question of the honorable
member for Finsbury, Mr. Duncomel. must say
it is founded on rather vague statement The par
ticuar case to which he referred is one on which no
can be taken He alluded to the case of a
master Of Workmanship who was tarred and feath-
cred. 1t occurred some months ago and some weeks |
before any state or civil existed when the whole
country was atpeace. l am moisture there was not
then some intention Of seeding; but no secession
had then taken place, though there were rumors of
il. The master of the merchant ship was in fact |
by mob; but the authorities endeavor- |
ed to arrest the rioters and consul stated that
the authorities had done everything it was possible
10 effect. As TO the steps her MsestY's government
have taken in consequence of the blockade, orders
have been given by the Admiralty to send out
I0me ships of war to strengthen the squadron un-
Ter the command of Admiral Milne With regard
% the law of the United States and of the Southern
1onfederacy as to persons serving in the militia
uch laws vary In the different states of Europe
Ind they vary also in the different states of Amer
ca No doubt the powers of these laws will be ex-
r5sed at the discretion of the several governments
according TO the law of nations. I still hope that
his conflict viii be Of short duration, and while
reat and free State like America is exposed to all
he evils of civil war, l hope no language will be
sed with regard to it that will tend to exasperate
ither one side or the other.
TIE BRITIsH FLEET on THE AMERICAN COAsT-The
london Herald Of May ~ publishes complete list
rom official sources, of the British Fleet since sent
D our Coast. 1t consists of
Ships of all kinds, ............. ...... IS
Guns, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 449 .
Men,. ................ $3.50