Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-30
No. . CowPER's Court, CoRSmLL, E. c.

NY LORD: Referring to my previous communication on
the subject Of the Peterhof, steamer, have now Ia
honor OF enclosing copies of the following documents
These documents your lOrdhip will observe while they
more than confirm the facts already communicated respect
ing the Of the Peterhof disclose conviction on the
part Of the officer in command of the Vanderbilt steamer
that his proceedings altogether unusabe and that
TO Admiral Wilkes is to be attributed the execution OF
premeditaed desgn to seize and take the Peterhof to
prize court.
Now that the facts are before your lordshp free from
any possible contradiction venture to my request
that your ordshp will lose time in demanding the imme
date restitution Of the Pete ho and her cargo together
with damages for the gross outrage perpetraed by the
unwarrantabe proceedings Of the United States
officers and further, that your lodsbip will convey to
the Of her Majestys Government that my line
steamers engaged 10 lawful trade between this country
and MatamOros will such protection will eectu
ally put end to the arbitrary proceedings of Admiral
Wilkes, any future interference by the United States
naval authorities.
have the honor to be- your lordshps obedient humble
servant, JOSEPH SPENCE.
To the Right Honorable EARL RUSSELL, &c.
The Decision OF Earl Russell
FOREIGN OFFICE APRIL 3, 1863
SIR am now directed by Earl Russell to make you
acquainted with the conclusion at which having consider
ed in communication with the law officers OF the Crown
the circumstances attending the capture by the United
states shipowar Vanderbilt Of the British vessel Peter
hof as set forth 10 your letters Of the 26h 2th 2sh
aud Both umo her Msestys Government has arrived at
10 regard To that matter.
The Government of the United States has clearly no
right to British vessels bona 6de bound from this
country from any other British possession 70 the ports
OF Vera Cruz and Maamoros either OF them, or rice
unless such vessels attempt to touch at or have
intermediate contingent destination to some bockad
ed port place, carriers Of c0ntrsband OF war
destined for the Confederate States and 10 any admitted
Of such unlawful capture her Msjesty Government
would feel it their duty promptly to nteere with view
to obtain the immediate restitution Of the ship and cargo,
with full compensation and without the delay Of pro
ceedngs in prize court.
Her Msesiys Government. however, cannot, without
violating the rules Of international law claim for British
vessels navigating between Great Britain and these places
any general exemption from the belgeent right Of vista
ton by the cruisers Of the United States can they pro-
coed upon any general assumption that such may
not so act az to render their capture lawful and us6abe
Nothing 10 more than for those who contemplate
breach OF blockade, the carriage Of contraband TO
disguise their purpose by simulated destination and by
deceptive papers, and the situation Of the ports on the
coast OF Mexico with reference to the Confederate States
such TO make II not only possible but in many cases
probable that ostensble Mexican destination would be
resorted to for objects which would really JUS
tfy capture 1t has already happened 10 many cases
that British vessels have been seized while engaged in
voyages apparently lawful which vessels have afterwards
proved n the prize courts to have been really guilty
Of to break the blockade or Of carrying con
traband to the Confederates.
Itis the right OF the belgerent to capture all vessels
reasonably suspected Of either Of these ansgresons Of