The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-05-01

The Late Seizures by Federal Cru.
lsers---ImpOrtant Letter from
Russell.
From the Chattanooga Rebel Of suniay.l
FOREIGN OFTICE. April 3, 1903
SRI am now directed by Elrl Russell.
to make YOU acquainted with the con.
clusion at which, having considered. u
communication with the law officer, 20.
the Crown. your letter of the Goth u
I March. requesting to be informed in o..
gard to the right OF British vessels 10
trade with Matamoras, her Majesty Gov
eminent. has arrived.
The Government of the United States
has clearly no right TO s9Iz0 British yes
/ sells JOHi lite bound from this country, on
/ from any other British possession 10 the
ports of Vera Cruz and Matamoras, or
either Of them; or rice reySl, unless such
vessals attempt to touch at, or have an
/ intermediate or contingent destination to
some blockaded port or place, or are car
I riers OF contTaband of war destined for
( the Confederate States; and in any adj
mitted case Of such unlawful capture. her
Maiesty's Government would .eel il their
duty promptly to interfere, with a yiew
to obtain the immediate restitution Of
the ship and cargo, with full compcu-a-
ton, and without the delay OF proceed.
ings in a plize court.
Her Maiesty's Government, however.
cannot, without violating the rules of IN.
ternational law, claim for British vessels
navigating between Great Britain and
these places any general exemption from
81 - -. /, 81
cruisers Of the United States, nor cam
they proceed upon any general assump
ton that such vessels may not 50 act a.
to render their capture lawful and JUST
liable Nothing is more common thaifs
for those who contemplate breach Of
blockade, or the carriage of contrabaud
to disguise their purpose by a simulated
destination, and by deceptive papers
and the ports on the coast of Mexico
with reference to the Confederate State
is such as to make it not only possible
but in many cases probable that an o,-
tensible Mexican destination would be-
resorted to as cover for objects which
would really justify capture. 1t has al
ready happened, in many cases, thag
British vessels have been seized while en-
EHPeu III VOYAGES, apparently lawful winch
vessels have afterwards been proved IN
the prize courts to be really guilty Of en-
deavoring to break the blockade, or Of
carrying contraband to the Conlol.-
ates.
1t is the right Of the belligerent to cap
ture all vessels reasonably suspected Of
either Of these transgressons Of lu-
ternational law. and whenever any
such case Of capture is alleged tho cate
cannot be Withdrawn from the consider,
alton of the prize court of the captor.-
After the case has undergone inyestiga-
ton it is the duty of the prize court to re-
store any such prize unlawfully made,
with costs and damages, and the proper
time for the interference of her Males
tvs government, is in general, when the
prize courts have refused redress for
capture which the evidence shows to
have been unjustitiable.
Her Majesry's government cannot up
on erp1te statements, deny the belliger-
ents in this war the exercise of those
rights which, in all wars in which Great
Britain has been concerned, she has
claimed herself to exercise am, sir
your most obedient and humble servant
L. HAMMOND. /
+. 7. COURLAY, No, ;, Leadenhall street.