The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-22
The Franes-CoS federate IrOn-CIads-Inter.
estiDg Disclosures.
From the Pail Mall Gazette, July q


We have now the defense made by Messrs. Ar.
man, Erlanger & Co.. in the action brought by the
United States government for the recovery of
5000 francs paid to these gentlemen by Con-
tedeIate agents for cruisers ordered by Captain
Bullock. Maitre Lecan first contested the right of
the United States TO claim money which had never
belonged to the States treasury from a third
party; and then urged, as his line of defense that
III. Arman was quite justified in building the yes.
sells he constructed for Captain Bullock, and that
in so doing he in no wise infringed the laws of
neutrality. There was no international law pro.
hibitiDg the building Of even ships of war, pro-
vided the builder did not send them to sea. As
long as the cruisers built for the Confederates
were lying in harbor, they were not contrsbsnd of
war, and NJ. Arman never had any idea of deliver
ing them to Captain Bullock on the high seas. If
Captain Bullock had falsely represented to NJ.
Arman that the vessels he had ordered were for
commerce, and if Captain Bullock intended to
violate the law, that was no affair of NJ. Arman
but concerned the French government and the
Confederate agent. II Capt. Bullock could get
his ships out of harbor much the better for him.
II the government, made aware of the real char
acter OF the vessels by Mr.. Dayton, allowed them
to slip through their fingers, so much the worse
for the government. If NJ. Arman had right
TO build the cruisers in question he had q right
to be paid for them. Maitre Lecan said that
there had been no violation of neutrality
and all publicists were of opinion that
neutrality did not mean new state of af-
fairs, but continuation of existing state; what
neutral powers had the right to do before the war
they had a right to do during the war. Even com.
meree in contraband of war was lawful II the
contIaband was neither transported to nor dey-
cred in belligerent port. II was violation of
neutrality to make use of neutral flag for the
accomplishment Of hostile act but complete
liberty Of commerce existed for contrabani of
war upon neutral territory. Vattel and other
authorities were quoted to show the difference Of
active and passive commerce in articles contra
band Of war, and also presidential message is
cfUad OF hn Tina nf fha II iii
remembered that Of the six vessels built for the
Confederates the Stonewall was the only one
which escaped the vigilance Of the French gov.
eminent and the American minister and was de-
lyered 10 the Southerners. Maitre Lecan explained
how this was effected, and exculpated that most
innocent of shipbuilders. NJ. Arman. When the
French government refused to ALLOW guns to be
placed on board his vessels, Captain Bullock pro.
posed to M. Armsn that they should be sold to
third power. Denmark, then at war with Prus-
sia, was in want of "rsm," and proposed to
purchase the Stonewall, but to blind the Prussian
authorities treaty Of sale was signed with the
master Of the kings hounds in Sweden. Mr.. Day
ton, still suspicious, wrote TO Sweden for infor-
nation, and the purchase of the vessel was de.
MED by Count Mandentrom. The American
minister informed NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys
that he had been deceived, and the pre-
cautions taken by Denmark were almost
betrayed. After a great deal OF trouble the
Stonewall, or Stoer Koder, as she then was, got
under way with a French crew on board, and
reached Copenhagen. The French crew returned
home. Denmark nc longer required the ram,
and asked for a reduction of Gl2 900, which NJ.
ATman would not make he demanded payment
in full or that the contract should be annued.
The contract was annulled, aud just then Capt.
Bullock reappesred and claimed his vessel. What
could NJ. ATman who had sold his vessel TO Capt.
Bullock, do? Could he prescribe TO Capt. Bul.
lock what he should do with his ship, Was he
bound to warn the American government The
ship left Copenhagen with Danish crew, and
was handed over to the COnfederstes in French
waters. This was the only vessel which escaped,
and it was afterwards delivered up TO the United
States by the Spanish authorities in Havana, with
out having effected a single capture, and was sold
10 the Japanese for $500, 900 francs. Such is the
story Of the Stonewal as related by Msitre Lecan.
II is only fair TO NJ. Armsn TO add that the charge
Of accepting double payment has been disproved.
He returned the money paid TO him by the Con-
federate agent, and when the Peruvian govern
ment paid higher price than the original contract,
be divided the profits with Capt Bullock. NJ.
Berger has yet to reply for the United States.