Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-03-19
Fifty Vessels novv Builctng IN England on Conf,d-


Fifty Vessels Builetpg m England on Confxti-
crate Account.
The London Daily Ne,os publishes letter addressed
to Lord Palmerson on the subject of British aid to
the Confe deraes from which CLEAN some interest
ing facts. The writer commences by condemning the
course OF Lord John Russell in practically negativiDg
by his management Of the Foreign Office the professed
policy OF neutrait, citing the official correspondence
in the of the 29O" as afordDg conclu,ive evi
dence Of the sheer hypocrisy OF the nonnterVention
reence All the facts in tbs case, and in that of the
Florida the writer contends exhibit connivance
with the rebels He then proceeds to show that the
same course is still pursued by the authorities in per-
ning the construction Of other vessels os ensby for
the Emperor Of China, but really for the Confeds rates
We quote.
On the premises belonging to the Messrs Laird at
Birkenhead, in a covered sied "annexe" to the main
yard, two powerful steamers in course of con-
stIuction for the Emperor Of China" Their burden
is about 2200 tons. They Of the cass, parti
ally iron plated, aud say 200 feet long by 56
b=am and l8 feet deep Their engines, nearly rea
dy, raUked noHnay at 300 horse power, but each
will work up to thousand which will give them very
high ate If speed.
la the main yard the same premises another steam
is uding also "j0r tie Emperor of China" Her
length is about so fet, by eight feet BEAM aud
depth from sixteen to eighteen feet. She Is TO bs par
tally ir0nated Ike the two others in The annexe, aud
the three are expected to be ready for sea in two
months from the present time, perhaps sooner. Capt.
Bullock who commanded the " 290," is daily in aten-
dance superntending their progress Does this gentle
man hold his commission from his Celestial Majesty
from JEFF Tson Davis?
in the yard of Massrs " c. Miner & Son, Liver
poo there is nearly completed wooden screw propel-
Ter vvssC Of about $50 to 500 tons She mas been con
struccd upon the plan OF the American coasters being
nearly fatbottomcd She is built for fast sailing under
canvas aOS under steam is expected to fifteen knots
hour. She is TO be armed with nine pounder guns,
and is expected to be ready for n the OF four
weeks 1t 8 commonly reported that she belonged to
the C0nfederates.
Eauv G S0rc 10 fho oct t,o
Mersey large steamer is building there ''f0r
the Emperor of China
MessTs Fraser, Ire1holm & Co., of Liverpool, the
depositar3es," as they styled of the Confederate
Government have contracted for large vessel OF 3
600 tons which is to be built at Stockton
Messrs. Thompson Brothers arc building On the Clyde
powerful aTmor-cad steam rau "iQT the Emperor OF
China" 10 be ready for the 9th day of April
next She IS about 25O feet long, by 45 BEAMS and 80
in depth. Her plates from ~ TO 5 inches
thick Her engines will be Of 500 horse power each.
Mr.. Peter Denny, Of Dumbarton has constructed two
tine screw steamers They are lying in the Clyde Re
port OF somewhat authentic kind says of them Is
partly owned by "the Cbntse, and partly by individu
ais at Nassau New Providence It s publicly anroun-
cd that she is soon t. be employed between Nassau
and Charleston. iG, 5>rm "Chnese' is in general
III tie building yards OF the Clyde and the Mersey de-
sgoate the Conederates, and the emperor OF China"
he's other sgnifcation in this connection than TO
persOnify Jefferson Davis.
The Messrs Scott, of Greenoek, are completing
intended for the trade between Charleston and Sayan-
nah.
Two weeks ago fine vessel Of the same class as the
Virginia, launched from Messrs Blackwood's yard
at port Glasgow and report Sd IS she intend
cd for the Chinese.
Upvard5 OF fifty steam vessels {: Va descc ptons
in different stages o completeness, might be
ted in this "Hhinese category. The 7th section Of the
59lh George Ill, chapter 60 prohibits, under penalty
ct fire ana Imprisonment, with forfeiture Of the proper
ty, tie equipment, furnishing fitting cat or armiDg Of
any vessel to be employed in the service Of any foreign
prince state or potenoe, with intent commit hostil
tiles against tEe subjects or czens of eny prince or
State "with VI hOm His mai stY shall not then be at
war" Do not the facts herein submitted, my lord,
warrant immediate and searching Investigation
10 the nature of these transactions for the "Chne@e p?
The writer then proceeds 10 show that powerful
bina0Us IN aid OF the rebellion exists IL England;
that larso Of money have been Subscribed by the
m0leagy, shipping, and mercantile interests in aid Of
catiCns that lsta have heeo eXdb ed by COnfed
crate agtns containing The OF Manchester OF
high standing vino have thus subscribed that an ac-
credited agent o. the rebels row in the c0u0rY has ne
gotiate loan for the supply 10 them OF all kinds OF
supplies, and secured contract from houses in London,
t3e conditions OF which as follows
Parties undertaking. 10 run the blockade with
scIs laden with materials and munitions of arG
guaGactee1 carc0es Of ton IL exchange, al cents
pound ioG the value (greatly e1aggeraed) Of The ship
a0d cargo. They also receive Confederate bonds to
the cunt. These vessels, chiefly steamers Of
iorty, fifty, sixtyat Loyds II they run the block
ade cut ard home, TIE eno!n0u3 profits on the sale
cotton ample remuneration for the venture, and
the bo4d3 cancelled. II they are captured, TIE
b0rCs hearing a high T3ie OF interest," are retained as
security. The option i9 given to the owners OF selling
T. cir ships to the CcDederate Government-such 0.
them ach their dcs icaton and do not TO risk
return 7oyage-and they go to form the nucleus of
navy Tau8 British capital, and it alone, furnishes
the Coniederacy with the of carrying on the
war"
Tie writer concludes bis letter as follows:
"fhe proofs exist, my Lord, that this contraband
traffic in and snuni Of openly carried
on by the aid OF British capital, under the British flag
by British se&men, and IN British vessels to So tain
GoEederacY and q rebellion Cf savehoiers which
vi h0ut aid could not aintain Itself It is carried On to
bockaded ports recognized such by the British Gov
ernment, ard is, therefore, violation of the Queens
proclamation, OF 59h George III, and of iDernaticn-
law. Such transactions lower the character of the
British merchant, dsh0Dor the nation, engeuder
friendly feelings between the American and the British
people, ard jeopardiz9 the amcabe relations of their
respective Governments: The Administration cannot
learn these facts and remain qu5scent. It must either
act lie under the charge OF wiluy abetting the
ation o. that neutrality the strict observance OF which
has been so strongly enjoned upon all the Queens sub
jects."
The ENEMY \ profound quiet reigns along
coast. Hardly Yapkee vessel is to be seen, and all
the iroa-clGs have departed to parts unknowu Every
bod ,,1 hat Ea 10 Tosco nf tho