The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-05-03

DaUis' Reply.
The Mobile Tribune. has been favored by a
vigilant and energetic colaborator with copy of
correspondence which has just taken place be-
tween the British authorities and President Davis,
on the subject Of the rams. The reply of Presi-
dent Davis is proper in every way
II. B. MS LEGATION,
Washington, d. c., April l, 1864.
Nr Jefferson Davis, de-, Richmond, Va:
SIR have been instructed by Earl Russell,
her Britannia Majesty's Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, to convey to you the following
extract of despatch which has been forwarded to
me by his Lordship. l have chosen the method
which appeared to me to be the only available one,
under the present unhappy circumstances in which
the country is involved and | trust that the ab-
sence of all recognized diplomatic consular resi-
dents or other agents of her Majesty near Rich
mond, will be recognized as sufficient for its
not being sent through usual channels. | need
scarcely say that the bearer Of this despatch, whom
you nave consented to allow to visit Richmond,
has been authorized by the Government of the
United States to pass into your lines on the flag of
truce boat, for the purpose Of delivering it, and
will desire your permission to return to Washing
ton by the same mode of conveyance. | have the
honor to be, with high respect, your obcdient,
humble servant, LYONS.
lCOP1 ]
"You will also convey to Mr.. Davis at Rich
mond, through such channel as shall be available,
and as you may in your discretion deem proper,
the formal protest and remonstrance of her Maes-
tys Government against the efforts of the author-
ties of the so-called Confederate States to build
war vessels within her >Majesty's dominions, to be
employed against the Government of the United
States. - Perhaps your Lordship might best ac-
complish this object by obtaining permission from
the authorities of both bellgerents to send spe-
cial messenger to Richmond, with the necessary
despatch, in which you will transmit this paragraph
or :he substance Of it, together with all that fol-
lows. to the close Of this communication
"Her Majestys Government, in taking this
course, desire Mr. Davis to rest assured that it is
adopted entirey in that spirit Of neutrality which
has been declared the policy of this country with
regard to the two belligerents so lamentably desc
lating America, and which will continue to be pur-
sued, with a careful and an earnest desire to make
it conducive to the most rigid impartiality and
justice.
CATER consulting with the law officers of the
Crown, her Majesty's Government have come to
the decision that agents Of the authorities of the
so-called Confederate States have been engaged in
building vessels which would be at least partially
equipped for purposes on leaving the ports of
this country that these war vessels would un-
d
country with which this Government is at peace );
that this would be in. violation of the neutrality
laws of the realm and that the Government of
the United States would have Just ground for Sc
rous complaint against her Majesty's Government
should they permit such infraction of the ama-
BILE relations now subsisting between the two
"Her Majesty's Government confidently rely on
the frankHess, courtesy, and discernment which
Mr.. Davis has displayed in the difficult ciycum-
stances in which he has been placed during the
past three years for recognition of the correct
ness of the position which her Majcsty's Govern
ment have taken upon this. subject. No matter
what might be the difficulty of proving in court
of law that the parties procuring the building of
these vessels are agents of the called COneder-
ate States, it is universally understood throughout
the world that they are so, and her ajcsty's Co.
satisfied that Mr.. Davis would not
deny that they So Constructed as rams, as
these vessels are they would certainly be in a con-
dition on leaving port to infict the most serious
damage on vessels belonging to the United States,
as shown by the destruction of the Cumber-
land, United States sloop war, by the ram Mer-
riinac, merely by the latter being run into with
the Cumberland.
"Such vessels are to all intents and purposes
equipped as war vessels of certain power, al
though they be without gun or any ammunition
on board nor can the frequent Of the word
equip in the sense of 'to furnish with everything
for voyage he held for moment to
limit it's Specification to the furnishing IF war
vessel with everything which it mi 2ht be possible
to put upon her, or the ultimately putting of which
ON her might be contemplated. Such construc-
lion cannot be entertained for an instant. 1t is
clear that 120-gun ship might be equipped for war
purposes with any fraction Of her armament on
board, although she might not be so powerful or
20 efficient as she would be if she had the whole
Of it. A ram would be also equipped for war pur-
poses, although the absence of her ordnance and
ammunition might render her less effec'ive than
she would be with them This, it is presumed by
her Majestys Government, will be conceded by
Mr. Davis, without further argument illustration
In support Of it.
This much being established t. the perfect
conviction of her Majcsfys Government and the
law officer of the Crown and admitted as they are
convinced it must be, by Mr. Davis, and by every
other person of sound and impartial Judgment
there is not the slightest ro0m to doubt that it is
purposed to use the vessels in question against the
United States, a country with which this nation is
At peace and terms OF amity, and that the per-
nitiug of them to leave the ports of her Majestys
lominions would be violation of the neutrality
avs of the kingdom, and such an injurious act to-
wards the United States as would justify the Co
Vernment of that couCtry in seriously complaining
IF it as unfriendy aud offensive in the highest de-
gree, even 10 the imminent peril Ofrupturing the
peaceful relations now existing between the two
"Under these circumstances, her Majesty's Go
Vernment protest and demonstrate against any fur
her efforts being made on the part of the so-called