New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-13
TRADE WITH THE RRBrLs.

We shall soon hear the growl OF the British
Lion in response ~ tho decision OF our Court
in the Peterhoa case. We do not propose now
10 discuss that case but TO present u few
facts in regard TO blockade.running, of which
the IctcThoG voyage was notable instance.
la all article published some two months ago.
We skotchcd tho rise and progress of contraband
trade with the Rebels from the port Of New.
lork via Nassau and Matameras. We showed
how the commerce from Now-York TO the
former port advanced steadily from 4, 600 in
the month Of June. 1862, till 1t reached
SlG, 900 IN the month of February, 1863 and
Sl--, 900 IN the month Of March. We showed
also how the trade from New.York "a
Maianoras rose gradually from $1,000 III the
month Of June, l-b2, to Si62 900 in the
month OF February, 1868, and s6l2, 900 in the
month of March. We stated that about the
close Of tho last-Damed month the trade be.
tween Now.lork aud each of these ports began
10 Ginnsh aud was then steadily decreasing.
We attributed this result partly 10 the quick.
ened dill gence of our blocknding squadrons,
rendering ngrcss and egresa TO and from Rebel
ports hazardous, and partly TO the energy with
which the revenue officers of this collection
district had welded the extraordinary powers
conferred upon them BY certain acts of Con-
gress, aimed 10 break up traffic between
citizens OF the loyal States aud the Rebels,
whether direct or indirect. Tho conse-
quences Of this combined attack upon
this contraband commerce arc highly
gratifying. The trade from New-York to Mas.
sau in june aud July just passed, averaged for
each month only SD, 1000. while that TO Mat
amoras averaged but $4,000. Here is n very
sensible falling of from the figures Of February
aud March. And in view of tho fact that our
Consul at MatauIoras informs US that ~ per
cent Of all tho goods that reach that place ul.
tmatey find their way into Texas, while our
correspondents at Nassau assure US that moro
than three-fourths of those landed there take
their chances Of running the blockade, every
patriotic American would rejoice to SEQ those
figures drop still lower. Tho Rebels are be-
coming gradually exhausted. Their armies are
dwindling away. Their munitions of war arc
failing. And they arc suffering for the worry
nccessaries of life, having scarcely clothes to
hide their nakednca or food to stay their fam
ished stomachs. We hope. therefore, that our
blockadng squadrons aud our revenue officials
will, despite the growls Of British buccaneers
or the walls Of Comprehend freebooters, ply all
their powers till they have driven this treason
able traffic from the seas.
1t is we'll known that the greater share of
the trade OF New-YOrk with Nassau aud Mat.
amoras, as well as that Of . similar kind with
Bermuda, st. John, and Havana, is carried on
not only by vessels bearing tho British flag,
but by persons claiming to be British subjects.
This, as q natural consequence. has evoked
repeated protests from the British Minister ut
Washington, aud from British consuls here
and elsewhere, against what they call " unwar-
rantable restrictions upon trade" Now, tho
fact is patent to oil who watch tho current of
events, that this seeming ownership of vessels
and goods by British subjects il, in three
fourths of tho cases, merely simulated. 1t 10
thin disguise for protecting American pro-