The Portland daily press., 1865-06-19
w2thdrasgaJ or Belfigerens Rights from the
Rebels BW ,En0Easad


gt1.fs. NEW YORK, June IS.
The London Gazette contains the following
letter from Earl Russell to the Lords Commis-
sioners of Admiralty: III NY III LA
VI ~ = FOREIGN OFFICE, june 3, 1866
My Lords;-l have the honor to state to
your lordships that since the date of my letter
of the It'll ult., intelligence has reached this
country that the late resident OF the so called
Confederate States has been captured by the
military forces of the United States and trans
ported, as prisoner, to Fortress Monroe, and
that the armies which have hitherto been kept
in the field by the Confederate States have
for the most part surrendered or dispersed.
In this posture of affairs, her Majesty's Gov.
eminent are Of opinion that neutral nations
cannot but consider the civil war In North
America as at an end. In conformity with
this, her Majesty's Government recognize that
peace has been restored within the whole ter
ritory Of which the United States OF North
America before the commencement of the civil
war we're in undisturbed possession. As a
necessary col sequence of such recognition on.
the part OF her Majesty's Government, her
Msjesty's several authorities in all ports, har-
bors and waters belonging to her Majesty,
whether In the United Kingdom or beyond
the seas, must henceforth refuse permission to
any vessel of war carrying the Confederate
flag to enter any such ports, harbors and
waters, and must require any such Confeder-
ate vessels OF war, which, at the time when
these orders reach her Majesty's authorities in
such ports, harbors and waters, may have en-
tered therein on faith of proclamation hereto
fore issued by her Majesty, and which having
compiled with the provisions of such procla-
nations may be actually in such ports, har-
bors and waters forwith to depart from them.
But her Majesty's Government consider that
regard for the nations good faith and honor
requires that her Majesty's authorities should
be instructed as regards any such Confederate
vessels so departing, that they should have the
benefit OF the prohibition heretofore enforced.
against the pursuit OF them within twcnty-
four hours by cruiser If the United States,
lying at the time within any such ports, har-
bors and waters, and said prohibition should
be then and for the last time maintained In
their favor. sas uaa5sssss ia saiaK m9f
I II, however, the commander of any Confed
crate vessel Of war which may be found in any
port, haroor or waters in her Msjesty's d0min
ions at the time these new orders are received
by her Majesty's authorities, or may enter
such port, harbor or waters within month
after these new orders are received, should
wish to divest his vessel Of warlike charac-
ter. and after disarming her, to remain with
out the Confederate flag within British waters,
her Majesty's authorities may allow the COM
mander of such vessel to do SO at his own risk
in all respects. 1t which case he should be
distinctly apprised that he Is to expect no fur
Their protection from her Msjesty's government
except such as he may be entitled to in the
ordinary case Of administration of the law in
time Of peace. The rules as to hours would of
course not be applicable in the case of such
vessels.s9 "a Nss szsi4sa 81 ssnsa aeHnus
a.I have addressed similar letter to the
Secretaries for the Home, Colonial, India and
War nff 1olc to- he To- dc 49,
ers of her Majesty's Treasury, requesting them
as do your Lordships. to issue instructions
in conformity with the decision of her Msjes-
TVS government TO her several British author
tiles at home or abroad who may be called
upon to act in the matter
~. / am, sir, {, = = ~
tSigned) ssss saNs' go '' RUSSELL.