The New York herald., 1862-05-30

steamer Matanzas
The subject OF the communications between the General
commanding and the Acting British Consul Is breacn
OF good faith the part of number OF her Majestys
subjects belonging body OF armed men known as the
British Guard and attached TO the European Brigade,
under command of General Juge This brigade was or
ganzed for the purpose maintaining tho peace OF the
city and two three days after the occupation by the
Union army it was disbanded Immediately after dis
banding, Captain Burrows company of the British
Guard held meeting and voted to send their arms and
uniforms to General Beauregards army which they did
On learning Of this General Butler threatened arrest
any member of the company found in the city after the
lapse OF twentyfour hours Three Of the
SO arrested and hence the correspondence.
BRITISH CONSULATE, New ORLEANS. May 8, 1862
SR-Mr. j. J. Burrows British subject, and who
lately commanded company composed entirely or Brit
sn M 70 coy r Win so anS % .s
formty with an order from Brigader General Juge he
appeared before you yesterday for purposes which shall
have the honor to state in my communication, and he
begs my interference behalf Of himseFand OF the other
British subjects concerned Mr.. Burrows states to me
informed him that member OF the British
Guard report to you with uniforms and arms, and
those failing to do must leave this city within twenty
four heurs or bs sent Fort Jackson 1t has come to
my knowledge within the past two days. and given
10 understand that you are In possession or Information
10 the same effect that some members Ia minority of the
whole) of the company Of British Guard, believing that
the duty which had been imposed upon them by the law OF
Of this State at end and their services no longer
city by the military authorities of the United States,
sent their and equpmentstheir own private pro-
perty, beeve-from the city to whom or where MI:
Burrows is unable to inform For this reason 1t will
be impossible for them TO report TO you as Soldiers
character in which the British subjects now in question
have been desrous Of showing themselves in the
existing strife in this country.
1t s not my intention in this communication to shield
countrymen In tho step they have taken for may
be construed breach Of that neutrality imposed by
her Majesty all her subjects but II is looked upon
in that light, feel convinced that they when they took
such action ignorant OF the Importance that might
be attached to it, and did it with idea OF wrong or
harm. It may not. sir be irrelevant for to mention
that much regret to hear that the position Of British
| subjects in this city as neutrals should have
| been questioned doubted. When the militia
| law of this State enforced by the autho-
| rites, requiring all men between eighteen and
forty nve who were IN the state 70 perform militia
the Executive Of this STAGE that the service imposed
upon British subjects was contrary TO the law OF ma
tions and placed them beyond that neutral position
which had been enjoined upon them by their govern
ment This was partly at the instance Of many British
subjects and conformity done with the Consus OF seven
other European governments. In consequence OF our
action the United States authorities taking possession
OF this city, found that the city to great extent in
the charge Of the foreign corps and they perform
ing service allowed by their own governments, and one
deemed incompatible by either beligerent. Consequent
scarcely reasonable to suppose that after SO
strongly opposing the militia law for fear Of losing or
violating their rights as British subjects they would
| voluntarily and knowingly place themselves in
| that unpleasant position which they have for
many months carefully avoided. As have had the
honor to state above, and for the cause mentioned,
II will not be possible for Of the British Subjects
whowere members Of tho British Guard, to obey the
verbal order OF questionable legality given Mr. Bur-
rows that they should report you soldiers and it
would become duty TO solemny protest in the name
of her Majestys government against the alternative
stated by YOU enforcement Of which would infringe
the rights Of British subjects residing in the United
States Ihave the honor to be, sir your most obedient
| servant, GEORGE CoPPElL,
| Her Majesty Acting Consul
Major General B. F. BUTLER United States Army, Com
manding Department Of the Gulf &c. New Orleans. La
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT THE GULF,
| NRw ORLEANS, May H. 1852.
SIR have your communication OF May s. With ito
eyasions of fact have nothing TO do plain statement
OF tho matter is thisA number Of residents OF this
CITY, who have enjoyed the protection and advantages Of
the United States government in their large trade and
cade) and claiming to have been born subjects Of
her Majesty Queen Victoria, organizes themselves into
| military body, known the British Guard - and
armed uniformed and equipped patrolled the streets
till tho fleet Of the United States had the city under its
guns. This body then after discussion in presence Of
its captain and at least other officer eleven O'Clock
at night, deliberately voted in organized meeting to
send the and uniforms Of the company the army
OF the rebel General Beauregard which vote carried
into effect, by sending TO the rebels, substantially, all
This transaction concealed from for days.
then sent for Capt. Burrows and he acknowledged the
facts materially above stated In this agrant breach
OF the laws of nations, OF the United States,
| your Queens proclamation and the laws Of
God, directed hlm to order his company
| to leave the city within twenty four hours. To
this he objected, SAYING among other things that this
would be Furnishing the innocent with the guilty,
there members absent time OF the vote;
that each soldier Of the Guard owned his and uni
form private property, and II would be hard TO
pei those TO leave the city who still retained their arms
and uniforms, and did not concur in the VOTE l then
modified the order, directing those to report 70 me who
still retained their arms and unormsall Others hav
forfeited all rights OF neutrality and hospitality TO
leave tho city within twenty-four hours or should
| have them arrested and sent to Fort Jackson, as
dangerous and inmical persons These people thought
II OF consequence that Beauregard should have sixty
| more uniforms aud rifles. thought IL Of the Same
consequence that he should have sixty moro Of these
faith men who may I'LL them If they choose. in
tended this order 70 be strictly enforced. content
for the present to suffer open enemies TO remain in tho
city Of their nativity but law deying and treacherous
alien enemies shall not. welcome all neutrals and
foreigners who have kept aoof from these troubles
which have been brought upon the city, and will,
their property. they shall have tho same hos
receveda the hands OF the United States government
They will however, for themselves that IL Is for the
Of all to have the unworthy among them rooted
All the facts above set forth easily be substated
and, indeed are all ovasvey admitted In your note by
the very apology made for them That apology says that
these when they took this action-sent these arms
| and munitions Of war to Beauregard-"did II with no
idea Of wrong harmn do not understand this. Can
be that such men OF ago enrol themselves military
body did not know that II wrong supply the
mics OF the United States with armsY II think they
should be absent from the city long enough 10 learn %
much International law, or do you to say that,
knowing the social procvities and the aensss Of the
hour when the vote taken, therefore they were
not responsible There Is another difficulty, however,
these people taking any protection under the British
flag The company received q charter commission or
form OF rebel authorization from tho Governor Of
louisiana and one Of them, whom havsyunder arrest,
accompanied him TO the rebel camp There Is still
another difficulty am informed and believe that .
majority OF them have made declarations Of their
ons 10 become citizens Of the United Sates and Of the
supposed Confederate States and have taken the proper
and improper oaths OF allegiance to effect that purpose
Thus far you will do me the honor to observe, that
have treated your communication II IL cmanated from
the duly authorized Consul OF her Mestys government
at this port The respect feel for that government
leads 10 IL at all upon the side OF recognition Of
all s Claims and those Of It's ocers but leave 70
call attention 10 the fact that subscribed your
self "Her Britannia Mestys Acting Consul and that
havo received no official Information Of any right which
you may have so 20 act, except your acts alone
and, pardon err In saying that your acts in that
behalf which have como to my knowledge have not been
Of such character induce the belief on nv part that
YOU rightully represent that noble governments have
the honor TO be- respectfully your obedent servant
BENZ +. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding
To GEo @ CoPrRi acting a. her Majesty's Consul at
the port OF New Orleans, La.