Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-07
J. N. MASON.
THE ACTIONS AT GALVESTON AND
CHARLESTON
va. MASON TO EARL RUSSELL.
"a UPPER SEYMOUR ST., PoRTNAN SQUARE,
February Is, 1868. (

February Is, 1868.
Nv Lord deem it incumbent on me to ask the at
ention of Her Majestys government to recent intei-
geuce received here in regard to the blockade at Calves
ton in the State of Texas and at Charleston in the State
First as respects Galveston appears that the bocka-
ding squadron of the United States driven off from
that port and harbor by superior Confederate force
the lst day of January last ship Of that squadron
was captured the flagship destroyed, and the rest
capped making their waV it u said to point of the
Southern coast occupied by the United States forces
Whatever blockade Of the port Of Galveston therefore,
may have previously existed, submit, efectually
raised and destroyed by the superior forces of the party
blockaded.
Again as respects the port Of Charleston through the
ordinary channels Of intelligence have information,
uncontradcted that the alleged blockade of that port
was in like manner raised and destroyed by superior
Confederate force at very early hour on the 3lst of
January ultimo, ships Of the blockading squadron
having been SUNK third escaped disabled, and what
remained of the squadron aoat entirely driven off
tie coast
have the honor submit therefore, that any alleged
preexsting blockade of the ports aforesaid term
minated at Galveston the LIST day OF January last and
al Charleston the 3lst OF the same month"; prncl-
PIE clearly stated in letter have had the honor to
ceive from your ordship dated the 10th nst in the
following words "The driving off blockade force by
superior force does break blockade, which must be
renewed de RovO in the usual form to be binding upon
neurals," principle uniformly admitted by all text
writer's on public law and established by decisions of
Courts of Admiralty.
lam aware that official information of either of these
events may not yet haYe reached the Government of
Her Majesty but the consequences attending the reno
val OF the blockade whether to be renewed no)
so important r. the commercial interests involved that
could lose no zine in asking that such measures may
be taken by Her Maestys Government in relation there
to as will best tend to the resumption of commercial
- los, ,Nla md
avail myself of this occasion to acknowledge the
receipt Of your lordshp letter Of the 10th Of Februa-
ry instant to which shall have the honor oil sending
reply in the course of a day or two; and am, &c,
J. N. Mason.
EARL RUSSELL TO Mr.. MASON.
FOREIGN OFFICE,
February l6, 1863 J
Sir; have the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
YOUR letter of this date calling my attention to the oc
currences as reported in the public prints at Calves
ton and Charleston on the st and 3lst of January,
yuur rrtrr Ut CUusuvreu ny nef hSJesIys uov
ernment. am &C,
RUSSELL.
Mr.. MASON TO EARL RUSSELL.
No. "a UPPER SEYMOUR STREET,
PoRrMAN SQUARE,
LONDON, Feb. 49, 1868.
Nv Lord have the honor to acknowledge the re
ceipt of your letter of the 10th Of February instant
more especially to inquiries which ! had the honor u
address to your lordship under the instruction OF th'
Secretary of State of the Confederate States OF America
on the th of July last concerning the Interpretation
placed BY Her Maesys government on the declaration
of the principle Of blockade agreed to in the conven
| ton of Paris.
SHALL as early as practicable, communicate the lette
of your lordship to the government at Richmond, but
will anticipate here the Satisfaction with which the Presi
dent will receive the assurance Of your ordship that M
rant of respect was intended by mere acknowledge
me without other reply to the inquiries contained il
my letter of July.
In regard to so much Of the letter of your
ordship as relates to the Interpretation placed b!
the government of her Majesty on that part o
the declaration of Paris which prescribs the law oil
blockade constrained to say that am well assured
the President cannotfnd in it Of like satsiac
ton. 1t is considered by him that the terms used II
that convention too precise and definite to admit
being quali6ed-or, perhaps it may be more appropri
to say revokedby the superaddtions thereto con
tanned in your lordship's exposition Of them.
The terms of that conYention are that the bockadnl
force must be sufficient really to prevent access to h
coast No exception is made in regard to dark nights
favorable Winds the size model Of vessels successful
y evadng it, or the character of the coast water
blockaded and yet it would from your ordshipi
letter that all these are to be taken into consideration