The New York herald., 1862-03-05
THE STONE BLOCKADE.

Earl (Lord john Russell Thinks the Oh.
structions only Tcmporary-Charlcs
Harbor Cannot be Perma entity Dc.
stroyed.
In the House Of Lords the 1lth ult. the Earl Of
SrAyHopE TO pat question TO the Foreign Secrea
in reference TO report which had jus. reached this
country tha. q second squadron OF ships laden with
s,oac had been despatched by the INT Of tho
United States To be sunk in Mait Channel in front of
Charleston harbor and also that third squadron, laden
IN simiar manner, was in progress Of equipment for
similar ob Get. lie wished 10 know from the NOZZLE earl
whether he had received any DISPATCHES from Washing
ton in confirmation of that report and If what
he intended TO take in the matter. Tho former
the American government in so comprehensive
form and with sach unanswcrablc arguments
the considerations which ought to guide them
regard to such enterprises that he had hopod that II
had settled the question. (ear, hear) That despatch
seemed 10 be worthy sequel u the policy with
respect TO American affairs ohich all parie agr,ed
in thinking hai ccns so mzch t,rdG TO he nole earl and
had fully viadcae the honor of the country, and to
the appreciation which Lad already been bestowed
that policy he begged to add his humble need Of praise
II was difficult how the sinking Of large ships laden
with stone banks Of mud at the entrance of hasbor
could end in anything else but the permanent destruction
of that haIbor and 1t that ground FAR he
could undcrst tand that the originally pat
forward and afterwards justified. Tho permanent de-
sruction Of ha, Dor not justified By the laws OF
grievous acts but did not sanction any act of this kind
(iIcar.) The permanent destruction OF harbor was
against pation bat it act OF war against the
bounty of Providence which had vouchsafed harbors
the advantage Of commerce and for the cvlzng in
lcnccs Of intercourse between people and another
(Hcar, hear On this ground we were well entitled and
bound to enter protest against such acts (HeIr
hear He wished TO hear from the noble earl whether
these reports well founded and f so, whether he
had taken designed to take any steps in the matter
Hc should also wish to know wheth the noble earl had
received any common cation from tho government Of
France on the subject and whether the government Of
France TO his Official knowledge, had made any similar
representations 10 the government OF the United States
with respect the destruction OF the port OF Chcsn
Earl RUSSELL said the government had official nfor
nation On this subject subsequent 70 that which had al
ready been laid the table Of the house. However, tho
sinking Of vessels at the mou OF ha Dor opera
ton Of much mpo tance that he could not but believe
that tho reports which had appeared must have
foundation. He was happy to bear the noble sarl's
protest against the permanent destruction Of har
Dor. Considering that these were commercial har
bors, and that In time OF pcaco, when thc.c was
severe weather vessels OF all natons those not ut
matcy destined for them, there 30 find refuge, 10
destroy them undoubtedly act OF barbarity The
noble earl would have seen that tho reply OF the Anne
rican government that these stone rcssts uere ndet
TO be an obstruction in the channel 10 dd The blockade, lat
that ey ere mt intnded for the Iers s.ruciion Of
the harbors. In conyersipg with the American Minister
this Court that the view which he took. He said
that the permanent destruction o Charleston harbor tous
imposslle l hich fOTmef the hdrLor tood
I sure 10 make channel and thai impossible eren
ir q had bsen Intended to sGect the permanent dcs, cion
6he hdrer. That he sdd, hooecr, mds MT the intention.
The intention only to make temporary obstruction
and when peace restored that obstruction would bc
removed That he believed was tho view taken by the
American government There had been some communi.
cation between her Majesys government and that OF
France this subject tch regard ohich The gurpe
of the Emperor took the rietr as thai Of her Maj,s
on the matter 10 tho federal government he was not
able 10 say.