The New York herald., 1862-04-29
Probable poStpOnement Of the Tax Bill TIE
After the Fall Elections.
Debate in the House on the Contract
Committees Report.
Defence of the Secretary Of the Navy
and General Fremont.
Army Appointments Confirmed
by the Senate,

WASHINGTON, April 2s 1862.
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO REBEL
VESSELS AT FOREIGN PoRTs-THE CASE OF THE
HARVEY BIRCH.
A large mass of correspondence has accumulated IN
relation nsurgent vessels foreign ports and par
ticnlarly between the United States and Great Britain
Minister Adams by direction of Secretary Seward last
November addressed note to Lord Russell the
ject OF the ourages committed by the Nashville, she
having captured and destroyed the American merchant
Harvey Birch by fire. and then sought protection at
Southampton The object of Mr.. Adams was to request
the British government inquire into the circumstances
of this extraordinary proceeding and expressing the
hope that the British government would adopt such mea
sures the case might to demand; first 4,
to the authority possessed by this vessel to com
NIT so aggressive an act on the citizens OF
friendly Power and then to claim refuge and recog
milton in the harbors OF Great Britain and, secondly IN
the OF that authority be deemed sufficient
at least in view of her Maesys government to the
purposes for which the ship is alleged to have come
the ocean, wit-Ths making OF effective
preparations the ports of Great Britain for carrying
against the people of friendly nation In the
former he says the question win arise whether
the vessel be not subject to process Of law
mon disurber Of the peace of the world and IN the
second place whether recognized lgerent shall or
shall be permitted with impunisy, the
terms of her Majestys proclamation permitting the
fitting the ports Of Great Britain of any armament
intended be used against with which she is at
peace.
Mr.. Seward, December 81 1861, approves Of all Mr..
Adams proceedings and in the course of his despatch
says-''we continue, however, to hope that this new
and agran has arrested the serious atten
tion her Majestys government and that it will result
in bringing about revolution Of the whole subject
with the great expectations OF the United
States often already expressed. The Navy Depart
ment win not neglect the interest Of in
this and distinct experience, whatever may be
the difficulty the cost"
Lord Russell had sent note 10 Mr.. Adams November
%, presenting his compliments to Mr. Adams, and ac
quantng him that his latter should receive immediate
attention Lord Russell had already given directions that
infringement Of the foreign enlistment act should be
permitted in regard to the Nashville.
Subsequently Lord Russell wrote TO Mr.. Adams tha
the Nashville appeared be Confederate vessel or
her commander and officers having commissions in the
styled Confederate navy &c. In these circumstances
he adds, the done by the Nashville cannot be
considered an act voluntarily undertaken by
individuals not vested with powers generally ac.
knowledged TO be necessary to justify aggressive
warfare Nor does it at all approximate within
the definition Of piracy All persons acting contrary to
the Enlistment act shall be punished, If and
necessary other will be adopted to maintain
neutrality It the desire OF har Majestys government
10 maintain friendly relations.
Mr.. Seward to NJ. Adams January %, speaks about
government being embarrassed by the attitude Of
the British government, and further communicates with
Minister upon that subject
Ina despatch TO Minister TO France, Mr.. Dayton,
February 90 Mr. Seward expresses the hope that such
regulation will be adopted by British govern
ment viii the merchants and who
Justly annoyed by the presence Of pirates in European
waters adding, in the late complications OF our affairs
with Europe, could only remonstrfe with the British
government against the shelter allowed to depredaors
upon commerce, and send out such Of
ses as we could spare for Its protection.
Secretary of Legation Perry under date OF January
last acquaints Mr. Seward OF the Sumter just casting
anchor at cadiz Mr. Seward, in reply, s1st January
says the President is favorably impressed with the
promptness. with which the Spanish government apply
the principles of the royal proclamation the OF the
snmter and the American citizens whom she carried
into Cadiz prisoners, namelyrestorng them to the
protection Of our flag He asks why shall NOT Spain,
emuous Of new magnificent and glorious career seize
the pre- eminenoe Of being the first of maritime Powers
20 retrace the hasy step Of last June TO close her ports
against those who sxasperated against their own
Government, because it will not lend itself to their
evil aggressive designs against Spain and their war
against human nature.
February "a last saysThe President expects that the
States which have, Jas think, unwisey recog-
nzcd the insurgents will, view Of the events which
have occurred here, indicating the decline Of the insur
rectiop reconsider their decisions and cheerfuly re-
their former attitude towards the government and
people Of the United States Representations in all
teral respects similar 10 these. will be made by 10
othcr maritime and commercial Powers.
Mr. Seward, writing TO Minis Webb, at Rio Janero
.f
been admitted the port o. Maranha, and receiving
Goals and provisions therein and directs him lose
time calling attention 70 the subject and inform his Ma
iesys government that shelter and supply Of pirates
as the Sumter Is, l. the porte Of Brazil deemed
friendly act By his government and ask that such
measures be takcL tb regard 10 the will make
che Governor Of Ma'anhsn sensible Of his Maestys dis
pleasure, and prevent OF such injuries 10 the
United states hereafter
Mr.. Webb, Ia response 70 Mr. Seward, says,-The Fs-
seisn Office assumed me ground that breach OF
srality had been oominSed, aud fell back upon tho
absurd,y first invented by se Governor'uf Naranham
namely, that the Sumter is mar Of war Brszil. IL
nppears recognized the southo States the rights and
duties Of bclligerents, conformity with ths laws os
nations, and Mr. webb is informed D, The Minister OF
Foreign Aairs that he oonfounds the reovnition Of
fact and Of the rights Of begerents the,ecosnton
Of Independence sovereignty in behalf Of he ,srr,
aory 10 rebellion.
Mr. Seward undor date Of March is, docs not afect.o
conceal that this decision him 10 be nconsist
i.h the very friendly relations which hereto
fore existed between Brazil and the United states and
Is therefore in high degree unsatisfactory.
Tho government oG Brazil, in the Of the
pondence declares its friendship for tho United States
and eryenty hopes the civil Will be brought to
termination.
Mr. Seward 70 Minister Pike, Fen 27 last, instructs
him 10 oso no time In calling attention TO tho subject or
insurgcnt pracal American vessels seeking shelter in
sbc ports OF the Netherlands and her colonies f you
psnnos, he says, obtain decree excluding them alto
Fshsr thought The government Will have no hesita
!.D ''s'0lns w restrictive policy nhce was sespwa