New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-04

The mails Of the Europa a'ii'e" w. ~
18th, They contain some interesting oe'ans Oh
matters already referred to In the Telegraph sui'>
THE PETERHoFF.
r,ona The London Tines, April 49,
Asrn,ation consisting Of the merchants, char
49,. and owners interested in the steamship Pe-
sstbof. which had been illegally seized by the Fed
srsl ship Of war Vanderbilt and taken to New. YORK.
Saa an interview on Thursday, BY appointment
18th Earl Russell, Secretary Of State for Foreign
Saairs. at the Foreign-ofice. Many Of the gentle
men present were also largely interested IN tne
steamer Sea Queen, now az Falmouth, ana also
bound for Matamoras.
The deputation was introduced by Mr.: Il b.
Crawford NJ. p for the City of London, VINO, nav,
so hr;ey stated the objects of the deputation salo
be was desirous of calling the attention OF ms ioiu
shp in the first place TO the treatment OF sho
officers and supercargoes Of the Peternoi Mno ~
detained on board that vessel, ana no. anom. . ~
COMMUNICATE with either the agents OF owners OF
merchants or even with the British Consul. insy
had been taken on board vessel wnlcn naG oeen
arrested only on suspicion, ana detained a. ,nougu
thew were criminals. For the truth Oh u,is He
v,o;1tad 10 the correspondence. Mr.. Crawford con-
tpned that the trade between our ports and those o.
Hax;co was In a most unsatisfactory state, aud IL
as not possible for il to be pursued under existing
ercnmstances The liability OF seizure ON mere sus-
nicion was theory SO new that II was completely
srrestino our own trade, while vessels from New
York were continuously running. Not content with
tbe unfair aud illegal course they were pursuing, the
Federal authorities now seemed to consider them-
selves entitled to dictate what trade snouia sno
sbould not be carried by British vessels, for be
held In bis hand most extraordinary document,
purporting to emanste from Mr.. Adams, the recog,
nised representative at this Court OF the United
Etatee Government. ,
This letter. which he would read, was circulated
nj LIoyd's that day. and shown 70 the underwriters
in order to effect at low rate as possible, an IN
surance on cargo Of arms aud ammunition, articles
contraband OF war, gong IRON Brlslsn tort 10
Mstamoras The letter was 10 the following effect,
and addressed to Admiral DUPONT commanding the
Federal feet:
aLReITIoS or rHR UNITED STATES, LoSDoy, Aprl9
4" Amid the multitude of fraudulent and dishonest
enterprises from this kingdom TO furnish supplies to
tbe Rebels in the United States through the preense
Of destination to some port in Mexico, gives me
pleasure TO distinguish which has different and
eredi able purpose. MessrS Howell and Zrmsn
have furnished me with evidence which ID perfectly
satisfactory to me that they are really bound 10
Mstamorss with cargo intended for the Men ans
therefore very cheerfully give them this certificate
at their request 1t is not the disposition Of the
Government of the United States to interfere in any
way with an honest neutral trade, and 1t Is deeply
70 Be regretted that the frauds which have been 80
extensively practiced in this country have contrib
uted 30 much to throw i under suspicion: .,,
=" Admiral Du PoSr. sc
After giving expression TO strong opinion on the
character of the letter. Mr.. Crawford continued by
stating that the more immediate object OF the depu
tstion was to obtain from her Majesty's Government
the expression Of an opinion or some assurance OF
protection for vessels engaged in legal trade with
Mexico. The steamship Sea Qneen was now iylnG
at Falmouth, detained by the ev"S,rs' MossIs.
Pile, Spence Co.. IN 81 ,s sDe nseeS or
foard which those gentlemen THE owners) were
eompslled by the Mercantile Marine act to carr,
under a penalty. In the case OF the Adela, Tn
,asls had been opened by the Federal authorities
snd the Judge had informed the officers commanding
her Maiesty frigate Rinado that the same conrsS
would be followed in future and the letters read FOL
Information relative TO ship and cargo II was very
probable-nsy, likely, that FEDERAL agents here
would write fictitious letters aud pass them through
the Office In order TO compromise The ship aho
cargo; ard the owners of the vessel would under
Kueh circumstances be ineurrDg rsk to when they
ought not to be subject, and, he, therefore, con-
sidered they were entitled to come protection from
the Government
Mr.. Crawford commented On the injustice and on
the complete stoppage Of all trade, which must
ensue from the Qnfarness Of the CONDUCT of the Fed
eral authorities in interoepting our vessels, while
their own, those of other nations, and certain Brit
ish ships which the American Minister here had
taken under bis protection, were allowed to pass
free. The loss to merchants BY interruptions Of this
nature was very serious, and 10 amount Of compen-
sation could indemnify them for the delay anc loss
sftade which the present unsatisfactory state Of the
matter sntahed.
Mr.. Spence PILE, Spence & Col had reason to
thosites TO capture the Sea Queen wherever found.
and irrespective of the fact that sde contained
eontraband Of war. In consequcuee of the seizure
Of the Peterhof, and the opinion pressed by the
law officer Of the Crown, they (the owDersl were
quite unable to insure the vessel against war rick.
Mr.. G.. r. Harding observed that the difficulty
Under which the merchants labored was that while
their goods were on board and their own engage
ments binding, the vessel was detained by the own
eYs, because no assurance could be given that she
would not be Illegally seized, as the Peierho had
been. When claim for damages was suggested as
resulting from the loss TO the merchants consequent
on such detention, the owners alleged that they
could not be legally compelled to send the ship on
voyage tor which they had protection OF the law.
Al present the grievance the impossibilty
under which they labored TO protect themselves
from capture. They had fulfilled every legal for
mality, and were DESTROYS Of doing all in their
power 10 prove the legitimate nature of the voyage,
but Notwithstanding this they were still liable TO
seizure. Ii be might venture on suggestion, he
thought an effoctual would be the placing of q
mail agent board the Sea Queen In charge OF the
post-oihce letter-bsgs. His presence would he q
hind Of Official guarantee that the vessel would pro-
seed 70 the port for which che bad cleared, and as
the only pretense On which a seizure could be based
wa that the vessel might be purposely diverted
from her destination, he apprehended that this
might meet the objection. The merchants and own.
ere would consent TO send their vessel under such
conditions, and were willing 10 pay any expense
extending such al arrangement.
Mr.. Harding, In dwelling upon the unfairness OF
the Federal conduct, remarked that while our wee
sails intercepted and our trade entirely stopped
he found, ana be was prepared 10 show by the
pappn IN ms baud, vessels daily advertised ~ sail
from New-York to Matsmoras, aud that those ships
were Allowed 70 proceed unchalenged; and in addi-
ton 70 this there was tine vessel referred TO by Mr.
Crawford carrying contrabsnd Of war, Intended TO
hal MaXlcaQs