Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-06-13

An Important DOeument-JeRD Letter Of Nfaroue.
PRESIDENTS INSTRUCTION TO PRIVATE ARMED VESSELS.
l. The tenor of your commission, under the act of
Congress- entitled An Act recognizing the existence of
WA between the United States and the Confederate
States and concerning letters Of marque prizes and prize
GOODS copy ct 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 enc league three miles from the shore of
the couctres at peace with the United States and the
Contede ate States. You will nevertheless execute YOUR
commission within that distance of the shore of the nation
ana within the jurisdiction OF such nation, if permitted
to do so.
z You to pay the strctest regard to the rights of
neutral powers and the usages of civilized nations and
IN all your proceedings towards neutral vessels you are
to give them little mOestation interruption as will
consist with the right Of ascertaning their neutral char
acer and Of OBTAINING and bringing them in for regular
adjudication in the proper cases.
on are particularly to avoid the appearance of
using force or seduction with the view to deprive such
vessels OF their crews the passengers other than per-
sons In the military service of the enemy.
Towards enemy vessels and their crews you are to
proceed IN exercising the rights of the war; with all the
justice and humanity which characterize this govern
ment and its citizens.
f. The master and one more of the principal per-
SOILS OF the captured vessels be sent as soon after
the capture as may be- to the Judge judges of the pro-
per court IN the Confederate States to be examined up
on oath touching the interests property of the cap
tured vessel and her adiDg and at the same time are
to be delivered to the judge judges all parties bills of
adlDg 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 pro-
duced as they received, without fraud addition
subtraction embezzement
D. Property, even of the enemy is exempt from sci
zure neutral vessels unless it be contraband of war
Ii goods contraband of are found on board any
neutral vessel and the commander thereof shall offer
give them up the offer shall be accepted and the vessel
lett at liberty to pursue its voyage, unless the quantity
OF cOnraband goods shall be greater than can be con-
venlenty received board your vessel in which case
the neutral vessel may be carried into port for the de-
livery OF the cOntraband goods.
The following articles declared by this Government
cantraband OF war as well all others that ale so de-
clared by the law OF nations, viz
All arms and implements, serving for the purpose OF
war by land or sea, such cannons mortars, guns
muskets, rifles, PISTOLS petards, bombs grenades, balls
shot, she'll, pixies, swords bayonets javens lances
horseurniure, holsters, BELTS and generally all other
implements of war.
Aso timber for ship building, pitch, tar, rosin, cop
per In Sheet sails hemp cordage, and generally what
ever may directly to the equipment of vessels
wrought iron and planks only excepted.
Neutral vessels conveying enemys dispatches mil
ltary persons in the service of the enemy forfeit the
neutral character and liable capture and condem
nation But this rule does not apply neutral vessels
bearing dispatches from the public ministers ambas
sailors of the enemy residing in neutral countries.
! BY the command of the President of the Confederat
States ROBERT TOoMBs,
i Secretary of State