Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-21
LOO EURoPRs
.grrsraF or sAe seosfa e,.a CITY Of BaIfs-
sss0ge.
Important Correspondence nbout the Mas
sau Traders
BRITISH TRADE WITH THE BAHAMAs.


The following correspondence has passed be-
tweena body Of s%bipowners in Liverpool and
the foreign Office
TO her majessy's principal Secretary Of
State for Foreign Affairs. The humble memo
rial of the undersigned British merchants and
shipowners, showsth: That your memorialists
view with considerable anxiety and apprehen-
sion the hostile attitude at present assumed by
Federal cruisers in the Bahama waters. These
cruisers are now blockading the British port Of
Nassau, as if it were g Confederate port, and
are making prizes Of British vessels sailing
from enc British port to another with British
goods, though such vessels are perfectly limo
cent Of any attempt to run the blockade. If
such q violation of International rights be passed
over by her majesty's government, very disas-
trOus consequences viii ensue to your memo
rialists and other merchants and shipowners
trading in those waters Many British vessels
fitted out for sea with British cargoes for Nassau
are now deferred from sailing in apprehension of
seizure, for, though it may be clearly proved
that such seizure is unjusihable, your memo
riahsts have nc confidence in tho administration
of justice in the Federal prize courts, or in the
prospect Of being compensated for the injury
inflicted. The confidence of mercantile men in
the ssnetity Of the British flag is already so
much shaken that underwriters are demanding
ten per cent premium for ipsuring from risk Of
capture British goods in British bottoms, sailing
from one British port to another. Your memo
ri~alsts, therefore, pray that steps may be taken
by her majesty's government to protect British
shipping in the Bahama waters, and to put q
check on the understandable cruisers. And your
memorialists will ever pray, etc" [Signed by
forty shipowneTs
FOREIGN OFFICE, July 5, 1962-SIR: I am
directed by Earl Russell to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of your letter Of the ID instant, i~nclosing
a memorial from eert4in British merchants and
shipowneTs at Liverpool, in which they state
that they view with considerable anxiety and
apprehension the hostile attitude assumed by
Federal cruisers in the Bahama waters and
the memorisists pray that steps may be taken
By her majesty's government 10 protect British
shipping in those waters, and put a check on
the seizures so repeatedly made by the Federal
cruisers.
am to state to you, inrsply, that It IS alleged,
on the other hand, by Mr.. Seward and Dir.
Adams, that ships have been sent from this
country to America with a fixed purpose to run
the blockade that high premiums Of insurance
have been Psid with this view and that arms
and ammunition have been thus conveyed TO
the Southern States to enable them to carry on
the war. Lord Russell was unable either to
deny the truth Of those allegations or to prose
cute to conviction the parties engaged in those
transactions. But be cannot be surprised that
the cruisers Of the United States should watch
with vigilance a port which is said to be the
great eRtTep0t of this commerce Her m8lesty's
government have no reasons to doubt the equity
and adherence to legal requirement Of the United
prize courts. But he is aware that many
vessels are subject TO hsrsh treatment and thst,
If captured, the loss Of the merchant is far from
being compensated, even by a favorable decis-
ion OF the prize courts. The true remedy would
ne that fba ularohaufa --A 1bs-our--- - 49,
pool should refrain from this species Of trade.
1t exposes innocent to vexatieus de-
-ention and search by American cruisers It
irritation and ill-Will on the part Of the
population Of the Northern States Of America
{ IS contrary to the spirit Of her maiesty's proc
amation and it exposes the British name to
piciOus Of bad faith, to which neither her
nsjesty's government nor the great body Of the
nation are justly obnoxious.
1t is true, indeed, the supplies Of arms snd
have been sent to the FedeTaIs
in contTavention Of that neutrality
which her majesty has proclaimed. It is true,
that the Fedsrals obtain more freely and
more easily that of which they stand in need.
5Ut if the Confederates had command Of the
ca they would, no doubt, watch as vigilantly,
nd capture as readily, British vessels going to
lew York as the Federals now watch Charles
on and capture vessels seeking to break the
lOckaG5. There can be no doubt that the
Tatchiulness exercised by Federal cruisers to
supplies reaching the Confederates by
ca viii occasionally lead to vexatious visits of
merchant ships not engaged in any pursuit to
which the Federals can properly object. This,
owever, is an evil to which war on the ocean is
able TO expose neutral commerce, and her mel
stys government have done all they can fairly
that is to say, they have urged the Federal
overnment to e9j0in upon their naval officers
caution in the exercise of their bsllger-
mt rights. Her majesty's government, having
epresented to the United States government
very case in which they were justified in inter
ring, have only further to observe that it is the
lty Of her majesty subjects to eenform to her
proclamation, and abstain from fur {
to either Of the beligersnt parties any !
the means Of war which are forbidden to be {
Finished by that proclamation. G
I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, Q
A. II. LAYARD, ?
homas Berry HOpsfall, Esq, AZ Portland '