The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-09-19
The "Rebes Ramss, in England.

The following is Earl Kusselrs reply
to the memorial OF. the Emancipation So
cety relative to the steam rams in the
Mersey:
FOREIGN OFFICE, Aug Is.
Gentlemen-I have received your letter
calling attention to Il subject OF very grave
and impressing importance, namely the lit
ting out or equipping two powerful iron
plated steam rams, which am informed are
intended to commit hoStili:ies against the
Government and people OF the United States
My attention. has long been directed to
these subjects Both the Treasury and Home
Departments have, ut my request, made mos,
anxious inquiries upon the subject OF these
steam rams.
You are aware that by the foreign enlist
m-ni act ship is liable 10 be detained, and
the owners are subject to penalty when the
ship is armed or equipped Ia, purposes of
war, aud the owners intend to lise her against
some State or community in friendship with
her Majesty.
II Is s4eceisa,y to psoee both the equipment onl
The intention. 1t is necessary for conviction
in Il public court of Justice To have the eyi.
deuce of :, credible WITNESS.
was in hopes, when began to read your
memorial, thal- yon would propose to fur
uisii me with evidence that the steam rams
in question were intended - carry on hos
tili,ies against the GoveruLl ut ana people
Of the United States; bnt you have made no
proposal of the sori, and oniy ieii me that
yon are informed HAT so ana so, and il ia
believed that SO and Bo s the FACT
You muat be aware, however, that, accord
ing to British law, prosecutions cannot he
set on foot upon the ground OF violation vi
the Foreign enlistment act without the affi-
dayits Of creduable witnesses, as III ether
cases of misdeIneanor and crimes Such
likewise is the law in use Yours, Xe.
RUSSELL.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSELS.
From. the Manchester kNaIni.er, August 81
One OF the two iron steam rams built by
Messrs i.ayard, at Ierken!ead, was launched
at their works on Saturday, Aug. "A, in th''
presence of large eroMd of srectat"ts, wi"
were freely admitted into The yard.
The vessel launched Saturday was eliristcn
ed the Ell Monasser, Or Victory; her consort
launched a few weeks ago, being named the
Ell Tonsson. When launched 10th vessels
bore the English dag astein and the French
iiag ami.lships.
Each are 80 feet long, AZ beam, AMI - feet
deep Their measurement is $50 tons, an,i
their engines are $50 horse power fhty are
plated with four and half inch iron on a
teak backing OF greafth:cki'ess, boiled o'' td
the frame OF the ship, which supports the IN
ner shell
The decks aie also iron plated, and the
iron bulwarks ara hinged at The lower edge,
SO as to be thrown down in action Each
ram is pierced for six guns on each side, and
they q, c fitted on the deck with large cnpola
towers, on Capt. Coles plan, with two guns
to each eupola, their bows projected under
the water SO as to form ram. The iron
plates are SO beautifully planned and fitted
that it is almost impossible to tell whether
the vessels are plated or not,
The cupolas are fore and aft the engine
house, and have an extreme range nearly fore
and aft the vessel Each ram Is bark rigged
having the lower masts and yards of iron
When launched, the FL Monasser was taken
into the 45O feet craving dock alongside he,
consort, the Ell Tousson, which is expected
10 be reaay for sea in about month.