New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-06-13
r7,,DF WITH TIE BEBELs.

|
measure of our blockade of their ports, they,
in conjunction with their sympathizers, COM
merced deyising means TO break it, Always
dependent upon the Northern States and upon
Europe for most Of their Injuries and many OF
their ncceYarcs, especially in the department
of manufactures, the sudden drying up OF their
sources of supply induced tho insurgents 10
turn with longing eyes toward their iriends III
the loyal States and in foreign countries.
Trade il not apt to permit the dogmas OF IN
| ternational codes nor nice ethical distinctions
TO keep it out of fields where large profits arc
to be reaped. This is notorious of British
trade. The first Napoleon called England no
ton of sbopkccper'. Breaking blockades has
long been tho fnvorite pursuit Of her merchants
and manufacturers And the pending war has
demonstrated that even American patriotism
is not proof against the glittering seductions OF
gold.
Early in the Autumn of 1861, system OF
block de- running was commenced between
Nassall-rhe principal mart of the British Ba-
hamas--nDd our Southern ports, more parficu-
larry Charleston. Though Iavnns, and st.
John, ~ b., contributed something to this
coptraband trade its chief seat Was Nassau.
/ II was soon surmised that Nil the goods that
supplied the markets where the blochade-rub-
ners were loaded were hot from foreign coun'
tries. 1t was more than suspected by the rev.
enue officers Of New-York that MERCHANDISE
was shipped here for Nassau and one or two
other ports, with the intent that IT should
take it's chances OF reaching the insurgeus
States through the blockade.
CognizaLt Of these facts, Congress, at the
called session Of 1861, passed two acts author
ling precautionary measures against trade
from our ports with the Rebels. In spite of
these, however, tie exports from leading
American Feaports, and especially from New
York, to Nassau and other places of like
reputation, steadily advanced through the Fall
Of 1861 ard tie Winter and spring OF l56l-2.
In the mean tine, the wants VI the Rebels
became painfully pinchins. Prices Of pToySiob'
advanced to famine rates. The cost of munu-
sctured articles rose to fabulous figure.
Our Government being on tie alert block
adc.break.rg owing to tie vigilance Of our
cruisers became hazardous. Bat, rs the
Rebels needed goods, and their old customers
wspted cotton. trade 10 and ifom the 10.
l,Di,rd coasts rapidly increased And while
continuing o. swell the odd channels TO over
luuibA. % ,Oush. pew a'cGgcs OF iussc.s and
cg..s, Not forgetting Na.sau, II turacd its
a,ari,ous ord upsrr' pvlous eye toward Mata.
u,ors.. Th'. ob.rIrc town, rarely 'i"t.d by
N-v-loIk supper. "a ordinary tu.cs, seemed.
~ inc .,ahnci ol TIE iast ycJr. 10 be sue
denly u.rg 20 Importance ~ conmrgcia!
d,pot. lls iucr.a.iLg iral~ could only be- be-
counted for upon ihc gpot1r.i, ibht is ware.
houses end wlaUc. W,ic only temporary
fe.llur places for merrhGa.rc intended ior tie
con,suous Texan border whsnrc II was to be
carried scro-s the connir, to the Missis.ipp',
anI tAylcc distributed throughout Tho insuI-
rcc,ionary states.
Aware ot tins condition u. affairs. tongrcss
IN MAY. l-oI adopted It'll more stringent
measure Tor lnLib.ilnc this ilAc.i tadc. Coz
lrc.ois OF the Customs were required, when
ever csrro-s oi goods sscrucd 10 BE- intended
.or The Rebels, or were IA danger OF iaiIt-
INTO Rebel hAids tuhat,ycr their o,tcus.b.c
,l,stinai!on), to exact bonds from the shipper,
n,ih aulp., ,urotirs. conditioned that tAe goods
should not be- used IN any wa 10 give AID or
encouragement Ia the ib-urgents. 80 notorious
had become the running Of Tie blockade be-.
10 and fftt. IL.
between Matsmoras and Texas, that immcdi-
utel, upon tie passage oi this act bonds
were eXacied at the New-iorh Custom
llou,e upon nearly all cargoes cleared for
Nassau aud Matamoras, while the same course
was pursued with certain kinds OF articles des-
tined ior other ports. The effect was salutary.
All shippers were put on their guard. Honest
merchants were brought TO reflect upon the
duties they owed 10 their Government. Rogues
and semi.traltors learned that there was a
point beyond which they could not go with
mpuniiy. Some ventures of n suspicious char.
ac,er had TO be abandoned. Others had 10 be
dve,ted Of their dubious qualities before re.
sponsiDlo men would become obligors upon the
required bonds. A large number OF persons,
conrsGors and consignees. merchants aud ship.
masters, principals and suretes were bound
by the ties Of interest 10 see that trade with
suspected ports was conducted in good faith
and according 10 law.
But, Notwithstanding the wise legislation Of
Congress, and the extraordinary caution of the
rcycuuo officers, and the slccpless vigilance OF
the biochadng squaJrVns tn. trade between