The Portland daily press., 1863-02-17
Omcial Refutation of the Raising of the
~ Charleston Blockade.
EIAa Snip WARAsu


4 just as the mail was closing, informed the
Department would send refutation in an
official form of the statement made in General
Beauregard's proclamation as to the blockade
of Charleston, published in the Charleston and
Savannah papers, and accompanied by asser.
tions made with the apparent sanction of GER
tain foreign functionaries. The emphatic let
ter of Capt. Lumor, (No. ~ the clear and de-
cided statement of the officers, No. ~ which
he forwards, together with the previous en-
| quries and examinations of the log books
made by Capt. Gordon of the Powhattan, who
was the senior officer present previous to the
arrival of the New lronsides, and whom had
dispatched to Charleston on the day OF the
raid, leave me nothing to add save to call the
especial attention of the Department to the
facts thus elected.
Very respectfully your ob't serv't,
tSgned) 5. +. DUPONT, Rear Admiral,
Commanding South Atlantic Squadron.
To Hon. Gideon Weles, Secretary of Navy.
UNITED STATES FRIGATE NEW IRoNsIDEs,
OF Charleston. Feb. 18th. !
Rear admiral s. Il. Dupont:-Admiral:-
have the honor to forward to you a certifi-
cate signed by all the commanding officers of
the vessels that were laying off Charleston
bar on the morning of the attack OF the rams
upon this squadron, excepting only three, one
of whom is on duty at a distance, and the 9TH
er two, the commanders of the vessels which
were sent to Port Royal to repair damages,
and which were the only two that were injur-
ed, notwithstanding the repeat of the enemy
in the Charleston papers as the result OF the
engagement, that two vessels were sunk, four
set OH fire and the remainder driven away
Your personal knowledge of these gentlemen,
and your entire confidence in their truth aud
uprightness OF character, will give to their
statement the force that Is necessary to refute
satisfactorily and effectually that which has
been given to the world by the authorities in
Charleston or their sympathizers. 1t is with
unaffected pain that | am called upon 10 for
ward document rejecting so severely but
justly upon functonaries holding the high
position of Consuls, and one of them, if this
statement has been made by his authority, the
commander of a vessel OF war of Her Brittanic
Majesty, nor can l account for IL in any other
way than its being aprcmeditated act on their
part, with foregone conclusions, to draw up
report that would prejudice our cause in the
eyes OF the world, or that these events were
seen by them with the distorted optics OF
prejudiced aud partizan witnesses. Tie facts
are so clear both as 10 the disposition Of the
blockading squadron during the day succeed
ing the engagement, and As to the amount Of
damage done our vessels in il, that IL does not
admit Of doubt that these gentlemen have
given the seal Of their high offices TO a version
of the affair which could not have been BY any
possibility, either by inference or personal OBJ
servation, forced upon their convictions Ms
truth. have the honor 20 be
Very respectfully your ob't servi,
lSignedl I. TURNER, Captain,
United States New fronsides.
Here follows the statement signed BY Com
manders Taylor, Strong, Frailet, PARROT, Wat
mough and vanals tame, OF the Blockading
feet, which Is substantially the same as that
already published in our telographic columns.
Legi.l ativs Hearing of Book and Newspaper
Publ hers for the Reduction of the Duty
on Paper.
BosroS, Feb. 10.
There was a large attendance to-day Of
newspaper proprietors and book publishers
before the Legislative Committee on Federal
Relations, to urge the importance OF memorial
izing Congress for relief against the paper
makers monopoly. Ii was shown that the
cost of school books, also Of New York school
books, was five millions annually, and that the
combination of paper manufacturers added
thereto full twenty per cent, which was a
serious tax upon the majority Of parents;
Also that nearly all the religious publications,
weekly newspapers and books heretofore pub
lished for the people would be compelled to
suspend entirely or be greatly resticted in their
usefulness. The daily papers would also be
compelled to further advance their price, The
publishers closed their case by presenting the
following resolutions:
Resotred, That the welfare of the commu-
nifty, as well as the diffusion Of education and
intelligence, call for the adoption OF some
measure which shall cheaper the cost of paper,
and prevent any combination of wealth or of
interest in keeping up the value of the article
at so high point rs to inhict so severe tax
upon education and the dissemination of in
formation generally among the people,.
Resotced, That as far regards the protec-
ton of capital and industry. the book and
newspaper publishing business, employing
vastly more of capital and labor than the pro-
duction of raw material, is entitled TO the
highest consideration.
Resoired, That our Senators and Represen-
tatives in Congress be requested to vote for an
amendment of the tariff, which shall reduce
the duty on imported paper from thirty-fve TO
five per cent, or as near thereto as may be
deemed practicable aud expedient.
Breaking Of the Levee near vicksburg.-The
Rear OF Vicksburg open to the Rebels.
NEW YORK, Feb. 10.
The Helena correspondent OF the Missouri
Democrat, under date OF the Sd, says that on
the "a OF February, by order of Gen. Grant,
Gen. German with about 500 men moved down
the Yazoo Pass, which is about six miles below
Helena and near Delta, on the Mississippi side.