The New York herald., 1862-05-30
few days, take the opportunity to for,

ward my communications.
sThe city is remarkably quiet. There have been dis
turbancss and General Butler progressing steadily
his work Of restoring this city and neghborhood the
Union, in spirit well in fact. Business Is almost
dead the people still lounge about the streets with
the lstless air as when last wrote The principal
that the merchants do not open their stores is
that they unwilling to exchange their goods for the
worthless shinpasters with which the city is flooded
AS evidence Of the peculiar confidence in Confederate
notes that the leaders Of this rebellion boast OF will
rocite an instance.
man named Newcomb was sentenced by the Provost
Judge. Major Joseph NJ Bell, to pay fine of three hun
dred dollars for attempting smuggle goods
city. To obtain that amount in Louisiana currency
Newcomb was obliged to give nine hundred dollars in
Confederate funds.
The most important act that has been accomplished
since my last letter is the Of large
specie from the Office Of the Hope Insurance Company
100 Canal street, and the banking house Of Samuel Smith
b Co., in Camp street. These seizures occurred on
Saturday, the 10th, and under the following crcum
stancss,-It having to the knowledge Of General
Butler that large amount OF specie secreted at the
Office Of the Consul OF the Netherlands he ordered Cap
tain Shpey Of tho Thrtieth Massachusetts, regiment
with proper guard to take possession Of the ofHce
Captain Shipey found Mr.. Conture at the Office
who confessed to having the keys Of the vault in his pos
session, but refused to deliver them. Captain g.
tured to General Butler for instructions. Lieutenant
Kinsman Of General Butler's staff, then sent back
with Captain shpley and demanding the keys, Mr..
Conturie claimed to be Frsnchman (Which is true,
understand) and sent note to the French Consul de-
manding his protection He afterwards that he
the Consul for the against
the invasion Of his consulate Lieutenant Knsman told
him that he must have the vault keys and ordered his
80 avrh NJ
they found the keys in his trowsers pocket On opening
the vault, Lieutenant Kinsman discovered nearly cord
Of kegs filed with specie guard placed over them
for the nght and Sunday they removed 70 the
Custom House. There one hundred and sixty kegs
each evidently containing five thousand dollars-in the
aggregate eight hundred thousand dollars. Each keg
sealed and stamped, "Citzen's Bank, N. O." The
money Of the date OF 1851 and each piece had the
which indicated its having been minted at New Or
leans There the best believe that it part
of the identical specie stolen by the rebels the Mint
at the commencement Of the It was principally
this belief and desire to regain the property the
United States government that induced General Butler
to seize the money.
Mr.. Conturie confined In his Office by the guard
until evening" and then released His first after
his liberation was to haul down the Consulate flag and
it has not since been displayed. He then prepared
warded to General Butler the following letter
ment Of facts" append to this communication pro.
against the invasion Of Consulate office from the
foreign Consus in this CITY, and General Buffers answer
and statement by the officers Of the Citizens Bank and
Edmund s. Forstal Esq., agent Of the banking house Of
hope Co., Of Amsterdam, all upon tho seizure the
office of the Consul Of the Netherlands
New ORLEANS Saturday, May 100 O'Clock p. M
To Major General B. f. BUTLER, United States Army,
Commanding Department of the Gulf, at New Orsans-
SR-Herewth enclosed have the honor transmit to
you statement Of facts which transprsd in my Con-
suar office, during the afternoon Of this day, duplicates
Of which statement about to transmit TO the Minis
ter Of my government accredited at Washington
to the Minister Of Foreign Affairs at the Hague
ment we're performed with your sanction by your
orders. Your answer, or faithful copy thereof, shall
accompany my messages to my Ministers and govern
ment. have the honor TO be- respectfully, your obe
dent servant.
Am. CoNTURIE, Consul OF the Netherlands.
STATEMENT OF FACTS.
On this day, May 10, 1862, and at the hour Of five
Consular Office No. 109 Canal street. called upon by
an officer wearing the uniform and the arms of captain
Of the United States army, accompanied by squad
six eight men, under his command.
The Captain informed me that he to prevent the
exit of any person or property from the premises.
said was Consul Of the Netherlands, tnat this
the Office OF consulate, and that protested against
any such violation Of the same. then wrote a note
TO Comte Mean, Consul Of France in this city
requesting him TO to for consultation This
note handed TO the officer, whose then learn
ed 10 be Capt shpley, who promised to send it, after
Captain shplcy returned, and stated to me that by
order Of Major General Butler my would be
ceed forthwith to search the premises Capt Shipley
demanded Of me the keys Of my vault; these ! refused
to deliver: He remarked that he would have to force
oren the DOORS and told him that in regard that he
could do what he pleased. For the second time, again
protested against the violation of the Consular Office to
Capt Shipley, then went out. Before he left dis
tincty put the question to him, "Sr, am to under
stand that my Consular office taken possession Of and
am s ny soo Iy 05ser o.
Shpleys absence another officer remained In the Office,
and special sentinel was put on guard in the room
Is Lieut.. Whtcomb, as he informed Capt. Shipey
returned, and was followed by another officer, whose
name could not ascertain, but from appearances rank
ing him.
This ofcor approached me, and in passionate, insult.
ing one contrasting snguary with the gentlemany de-
made the same demand for the keys had been made
by Captain snipley; and made the Same REFUSAL pro-
then gave orders to search the Office and break open
need be, the doors Of the vault.
I then and said,-'I, Amedie Conturis, Consul
OF the Netherlands protest against any occupation
search Of my Office; and this do in the name Of my
government. The name Of my consulate s the
door and my flag floats over my head If cede, IL TO
search being begun in the Office by the officer, told
him that the keys were on my person. He then, in
more rough tone, ordered two OF the soldiers to
search by person, using the following, among other
expressions s-"search the fellow;n "Srip him. "Take
of his coat "stockingsn ssearch the socs OF his
shoes" remarked 70 the officer, that the appellaton
"felow" that he gave me was never applied to gen
teman far less TO foreign Consul in his consular capa
city, then and that requested MIN TO remem
ber that he had said the word He replied IL the
he had given me- and he repeated over the word
three times.
Both Captain shipoy and Lieutenant whtcomb then
stepped forward the latter was the first 10 take two
keys OF my coat pocket the former took tho key of
my vault from tho right pocket Of my pantaloons or
tho keys taken by Lieutenant Whtcomb there one
opening my place Of busness, which has nothing to do
with my Consulate, and situated In different part OF
the city. claimed IL. but told by the commanding
officer that he would keep for the present, but might
let me hsve II tomorrow.
must here state that when Captain Shpley told me
that my letter 10 the Consul Of France would not be SENT
remarked that had forwarded another message
TO the Consul, and was expecting him every mo-
ment, and that II he (the captan) would delay
action until Mad seen the Consul OF France, something
good might out OF my consultation. Capt Shipey
replied that he could not delay action and that the order
Of Gen. Butler was TO "go on with the work he was
charged with"
1be superior officer then took the KEYS epsned the