Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-10
THE IRON OLADS BUILDING IN FRANCE OF
FICIAL DOCUMENTS.


The following article from the Opinion Nationsf
the construction of rebel ron-cad cruisers in the port
of FraGcs:
From the Opinion Rationale, March IS
Lord John Russell has repeatedly declared in The
House OF Lords thai the construction of the Alabama
and several other Confederate cruisera was scands
and isgrace to England. Whetaer in this he ex
pressed his real sentiments merely sought TO excuse
the feeling of extreme irritation manifested by the
United States against England, it is OF least certain that
for year pas he has shown himself inexble in refer
ence to tbs construction of these vessels.
Consequently the Confederates have directed thel
applications to France, and by way of beginning have
ordered whole tquadron, guns, SHE'LL ball, &c. ant
Messr5. Arman, Of Bordeaux, and VoTuz, OF Nantes
more audaccus than Mr.. Laird, Of Liverpool have
deriaken to deliver, at the expiration Of ten month";
several ,estls of war, completely equipped aud ready
for act These vessels were ostensibly, intended
for the establishment Of line between China, Japan
and San francisco, but their real destination soon
discovered and Mr. Dayton FASTENED to enter his protest
before NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys the moment he succeeded
| in getting possession OF undeniable proofs
The principal accusatory documents to the number
OF ten transmitted to NJ Drouyn de Lbuys on the
22i OF September, 1853 Tho frst in order of date /:
letter addressed the 0ih OF June last by Mr. Armau
| to Mr. Varuz. NJ A,man acknowledges having re-
ceived from Me- Bullock a Captain in the Confed crate
the Of 720 900 francs, the unt OF the first fifth
dus for vessels he is constructing at Bordeaux
WHILE at the time Mr. Voruz Is causing two others
TO be constructed at Asntes by Messrs Joliet, Babn
Dubigeon These foul sss Is had been in progress Of
construction since the Is of April 1868, and By the
Is. OF June Mr. Aynan had asked authority Of he Min
lister Of The Marine 10 arm them.
Documents Nos. 2 and 8 are two leters-one of the
l4h end the other of the 18th July last in which Mr.
Voruz Sr, informs Mr. Voruz, Jr, that oaps Bullock and
Arnaux accompanied by Mr. Efanger, had departed on
the Is of Jay for Bordeaux, and that they bad signed
build two ironclal vessels in addition to the four not
ironoad Moreover appears from these two lttters
that they actively engaged IN the ioundrles OF Mr.
VoruZ Sr in casting, on account oil the confederate
Government, guns, ball and shell certain number of
these canton and ball bad been ordered by Mr. BakelF
Of London but tho rest specially intended for the
outfit Of vessels in progress OF construction at Nantes
and Bordeaux. Ifthere yet remained any doubt in the
matter it would be dispeed by letters and 8, adj
dressed by Ne srs Arman and Voruz TO the Minister of
the Marine
The French Government, having only very inaccu-
rate Information relative to the destination Of these
vessels and tie use to DO made of their amamsns had
furnished kr Voruz With every facility defrable for
the iulflment Of bis contract.
On the Sth Of October, Mr.. Dayton brought TO the
attention OF NJ. Drouyn dc Lhuys fresh proofs among
Others copy Of contract signed July L. 1863 where
n Me-. ArmRn agrees to Mr.. Bullock TO constru II Two
IRON clad vessels and copy Of agreement dued on
the 18th Of September ia which NJ. Voruz promises TO
urBish Captain Bullock with Sc pieces Of cannon si.d
u. 600 she'll.