Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-23
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO
THE PRIVATEER ALABAMA.

Some additional documents have been published in Eng
land relative to the of the Alabama from Liverpool
Though portion of their contents has already been
luded to- the papers possess much significance at this
moment nasmnch they reue several Of the statements
made by the Solicitor General in his late reply to Messr
Forster, Barring and Bright in the House of Commons
One of the most important Of these letters is from the
United States Consul at Liverpool to the Collector Of Gus
toms, dated July 1862 Mr. Dudley sets out by observ
ing that the suspicious expressed regarding the Oreto
proved to be correct His attention repeatedly called
to the 1890, then building by the Lairds, but until
time in May last he unable to furnish sufficient proofs
10 her destination In that month two officers from the
Sumter had stated that the vessel to be sister
to the Oreto. On all her early trials well known Con-
sdera agents board of her. they had been on
the other Further evidence to the effect sup
led by young named Robinson, from New Orleans
who expressed strong desire to be taken on board the
guoboat which he stated from information to be
privateer Capt Bullock who took active part in Civ
ing directions about the vessel, known to be native
Of South Carolina and agent OF the Confederacy FL
nay every thing about the boat beokened that she was
built, not for mercantile blockade running purposes but
sci The assertion made that she was built
for the Spanish Government had been contradcted by the
Minister of that Power in London.
Following this is letter from the Collector of Customs
at Liverpool to the Commissioner Of Customs dated July
2ls This document enclosed the affidavit of VIM Pass
more who had been engaged sailor TO go board the
300 He spesks of this evidence, which had been just
left with him, being the only Of Importance in the
Dy NO opl8eu
by the Board DsructDg him by telegraph how to act
the ship appears to he ready for aud leave any
hour she peases" The affidavit Of Mr. Passmore is full
and very explicit We give only brief extract show
ing its character:
Gap ain Butcher asked II knew where the vessel was
going. in reply which told him did not rightly under
stand He then told the vessel going to
he Government Of the Confederate States of America
asked him there would be any fighting which he replied
yes they going fight for the Southern Government
The said Captain Blu cher then engaged me as an able
bodied at ca los. per month"
Mr. Passmore remained with the vessel for several days.
and thaht well known all hands that she was
to be engaged prvateer in the Confederate service
II our Consul somewhat late in collecting proof po-
stive Of the destination of the 1890" it cannot be denied
that the evidence clear aud decisive reply by ee-
graph requested by the Collector at Liverpool but,
is well known, this not furnished until the lapse Of
eight days whsn the vessel had already made her escape
In reviewing these papers the London Daily News puts
the issue squsrely before the public.
By the latest European which publish it will
be found that the British Government has ordered the sez
ure Ut gunboa called the Alexandra, which was being
fitted out in the Mersey with the probability Of being
Poyed Confederate prvateer The vessel was built
by Miller Co., firm which had previously rendered the
rebel cause too valuable assistance.-N y. Com. ado.