Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-06-20
BELLJGERENT RIGHTS
Official Letter of Earl Russell to the Ad-
miralty Board-Response of Secretary
Seward-fiBaI Repusiation Of the X ebel
Confederacy by England.
DIR ARTMENT OF STATE
WAS uJNGT0N Inul 4,

SonleueraCy Dy England.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1865. {
The Hon. Gideon Wells, Secretary Of the Nary:
SIR have the honor to transmit, for YOU
Frederick W. A Bruce and this department
upon the subject OF the withdrawal OF the
pretended concession OF belligereut rights tc
In view OF this CORES pondence, l suggest,
therefore, that you comm unicate to the naval
officers Of the United States the results follow.
First. Great Britain withdraws her conces.
sion heretofore made of a belligerent Character
from the insurgents.
Secondly. That the withdrawal Of the TWEEN.
fy-four hours rule has not been made obseIu ute
Dy Great Britain, and that, therefore the Gus
1omaTy courtesies are not to be paid by our
vessels to those OF the British navy.
Thirdly. The right of search OF British yes.
sells is terminated. OF course this has no bear.
ing upon the operation of the existing slave
trade treaty
Fourthly. Any insurgent or piraticaI YES.
GELS found on the high seas may be lawfully
captured by vessels of the United States
have the honor to be. sir. your obedlent
servant, WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
FOREIGN OFFICE, June , 1856
by LORDS: have the honor to state to your
Iordshlps that since the date OF my letter OF
Inc llth uitimo, intelligence has reached this
country that the late president of the so-caled
military forces of the United states. and
transported as prisoner to Fortress Monroe.
by the Confederate States have for the most
part surrendered or dispersed.
In this posture OF affairs, her Majesty's Gov
ernment are Of the opinion that neutral
nations cannot but consider the civil war In
NoTtf America as at an end. In conformity
with this opinion, her MaIesty's Government
Iecognlzes that peace has been restored within
the whole territory of which the United States
OF North America before the commencement of
Inc clvll war were in nndisturbed possession
AS necessary consequence of such recog.
milton on the part of her Majestv's Govern
ment her Majestys several autnUTitirs IN all
Ports, harbors, and waters belonging to her
Majesty, whether in the United Kingdom or
beyond the seas, must hencef forth refuse per-
mission 10 any yessel-o war carrying the
confederate flag 10 enter any such ports,
mar oors, ana waters, and must require any
Confederate vessels OF. war which, at the
time these orders reach her Ma jesty's author.
tues In such ports, barbors, and waters, may
nave already entered therein on the faith of
prociamations heretofore issued by her Ma
Jesty, and which, having complied with the
provisions OF said proclamations, may be
actually within such ports, harbors, and
waters, forth with to depart.
Tha! her Malesty's Government consider
that due regard for national good faith and
honor requires that her majesty's authorities
should be instructed, as regards any Confed.
crate vessels so departing, that they should
nave the benefit of the prohibition heretofore
enforced against purs nit Of them within twen-
1y.four hours by cruiser of the United States,
lying at the time within any such ports, har
bors, and waters; and that such prohibition
nouio lnen and for the last time be maintained
in their favor
If, however, the comman der of any Con.
1ederate yesse1ofwar which may be found
in any port, harhor, or waters of her Majestys
oominions at the time these new orders are
received by her MaJestys authorities or NAV
enter such port, harbor, or waters within q
month after these new orders are received,
should wish to divest his vessel of her war.
IKE Character, and after dissrming her to re-
main, without the Confederate flag, within
British waters, her Majestys authorities NAV
allow the comm ander of such vessels to do so
at ms own risk in all respects, in which case
as nouIo Do distinctly appraised that he is to
peet 20 further protection from her Ma
y Government, except such as he may be
entitled TO in the ordinary course OF the ad-
minfstration OF law in time of peace.
The rule as to twsnty-four hours would. Of
course, net be applicable to the case of such
vessels.
have addressed a similar letter to the Sec.
retaries of State, for the Home, Colonial,
India, and War Office, and also to the Lords
Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury, re-
questiDg them, as do your Lordships, to is.
sue instructions in conformity with the decis-
ion OF her Majesty's Government, to the seve-
raj British authorities at home or abroad, who
may be called upon to act In the matter.
am, &c, RUSSELL.