The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-06-24
Earl EusscITs letter "a the Lords of
the SdmIraItY.

GOlNElhH OtrlCE1 Ouub q 1000.
My LORDS: 1 have the honor TO state
TO your Lordships that since the date of
my letter of the 18th ult, intelligence has
reached this country that the late Presi-
dent of the 60 called Confederate States has
been captured by the military forces of
the United States, and has been transported
as a prisoner to Fortress Monroe, and that
tina armies hitherto kept in the field by
tho Confederate States have for the most
part surrendered or dispersed.
In this posture Of affairs Her Me1esty's
Government are of opinion that neutral
nations can but consider the civil war in
North America as ct an end.
In conformity with this opinion, Her
Msjesty's Government recognize that
peace has been restored within the whole
territory Of which the United States Of
North America before the commencement
of the war wsre in undisturbed possession.
As a necessary consequence of such rec
Ognition on the part of Her Msiesty's Gov
eminent, Der MsiesLy's several authorities
in Sl ports, harbGrs and waters belonging
to Her Mpjasty, Whether in tbs United
Kingdom or beyond the seas, mus! hence
forth must refuse permission to any vessel
Of war carrying a Confederate fsg TO enter
any such ports, hsrbo-s and waters; and
must require any Confederate vessels of
war which, at the time when these orders
reach Her Nsjesty's authorities in such
ports, hsrbors and waters may have al
ready entered thorein on tho filth Of proc
lsmations heretofore issued by Her Msiesty,
and which, having compiled with the pre-.
visions ef such pTtclamations, t:lay DO &C.
tually within such ports, hsrbors and
waters, forthwith to depart from them.
But Her Mbjesty's Government con-
slider that a due regard for national good
faith and honor requires that Her Msies-
TVS authorities should be instructed, as
regards any Confederate vessels Sc depart
ing, that they should have the benefit of
the prohibition heretofore enforced
agsidst pursuit of them within twenty
four hours by q cruiser of the United
States lying a: the time within any such
ports, harbOrs and waters; and that such
prohibition should DO then and for the last
tirne msintsined 10 their favor.
j. however, the commander of any
Confederate vessel Of war which may be
found in any port, harboE or waters of Her
Mtjssty's dlminions at the time these new
orders are received by Her Msissty's au.
thorities, or may enter such port, bsrbor,
or waters, within q month after now or
ders are received, should wish to divest his
vessel Of her wsrlike character, and, after
dissrmiDg her, to remain without a Con-
federste flag within British waters, Her
Msjesly's authorities msy allow the COM
mander of such vessel to do SO at his own
risk in all respects, in which case heshould
be distinctly apprised that he is TO expect
no further protection from Her Msjesty's
Government, except such as he maybe en-
titled to in the ordinary course of the ed.
ministration Of the law in time of pRsrn
uUuT5 would,
of course, not be applicable to The case of
such vessel.
l have addressed q similar letter TO the
Secretaries Of State for the Home, Colonial,
India, and War offices, and also to the
Lords Commissioners Of Her Msiesty's
Treasury, requesting them, as 1 do Your
L~ordships, to issue instructions in conform
ity with the decision of her Maiesty's
Government to the several British author
tiles at home or abroad who may be called
upon TO act in the matter.
am, SC, RUSSELL.