Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-09-19

The following Is Earl husseus reply 70 the memorial
Of the Emancipation Society relative the steam rams
in the Mersey:
FoREIGN 0FFCE, Aug l3.
Gentlemen,-I have received our letter Ca linz at
te1tion subject OF very grave and mpressing i'm
pOrtance namely the fitting equpppg two pow
erful ron.ptted steam rams, which sm informed are
intended % commit hostleJ against the Government
aud people of the United States
Ny attention has long been directed tn these subjects
,th the Treasury aud Home Dsput nenis have at my
quest made most anxious inquiries upon the ect of
tn, Sc steam rams
You are aware that by the foreign enlistment act a
ship is latle TO be detained and the are sub
jeot TO penalty when the ship is armed or equippe
purposes OF war; and the owners intend to her
against some State or com nunty in friendship with her
Majesty.
his necessary 10 prore both tie equipment and the IN
teRtioR. IL is necessary for conviction in public
Court Of Just CO to have the evidence of a credible
witness.
was in hopes, when began to read your memorial
that you would propose TO furnish me with evidence
that the steam ia question WereSnended to carry
on hostities against the Government and peoJle of
the United S,aWs bu; you have made no proposal Of
III, Sort aud only tell me that you are informed that
50 aud go aud it is believed that aud so, is the act
You must be swIre, however, that, according to Bi.
fish law proseCu ions cannot be set foot upon the
ground OF violation Of the foieign enlistment act
wi bout the all avts OF cedtable witnesses in other
cases of misdemeanor and crimes Such likewise is q Q
law in use. Yours &c, RUssILL.
DESCRIPTION OF THE vEssLLs.
from the Manchester Examiner August 81
One OF the two iron steam rams built by Messrs Lay
ard az Berkenhead launched at their works Sat
mday August 90 in the presence of large crowd Of
spectators who we're freely admitted into tue yard.
The YES e launched Saturday was chrisened the ii
Monasser or Victory her consort, launched few
weeks ago, beipg named the III Tousson. When
launched both vessels bore the Eogish flag ssern aud
the French fl amidships.
Each are $50 feet long AZ beam aud 10 feet dep
Their measurement is $50 tons aud their engines are
of $50 horse power. They are plated with four and
half inch iron on teak backing of great thickners,
boted on to the frame Of the ship which supports the
liner shell.
The decks also iron plated and the irou bnwarks
are hinged the lower edge, to be throw down
in action. Each ram" Is pierced for six guns on each
de- and they fitted the deck with large cupola
towers on Capt Coles pan, with two guns 10 eacn Gu
pola Their projected under the water so as form
"ram." The iron plates are 30 beautifully Planned
and fitted that it is almost impossible to tell whether
the vessels al plated or not.
The cupClas fore and aft the engine house. and
have an extreme raoge nearly fore ADD att the vessel
Each "ran" is bark ngged having the lOwer masts aSd
yards OF iron. When launched. TIE FL Aonasser WAS
taken into the 400 feet Craving Dock alongside her CON
sort the Fl Tousson which Ia expected 10 be ready for
sea in about a month.