Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-11-24
THE SPANISH GUNBOATS.
An Order for the Seizure of the
Vessels.
The Argument Used to Justify the
Government.
A Quasi Recognition of The CubaHs
as Beligerents.
Etc. Etc. Etc.

New YORK, November 23.-The
United States District Attorney, Judge
Pierrepont, received instructions yes
terday to proceed against the Spanish
gunboats, now almost ready to sail
and lying in the East river, for a
breach OF the neutrality laws. The
libel will be filed to-day and the order
of the District Attorney obtained for
the seizure. One of the grounds for
the seizure preferred by the Govern
ment is that these vessels are to be
used by foreign State fSpain) to cause
and commit hostilities against the cit
izens and property of a colony or peO-
pie of Cuba with which the
United States are at peace.
This, being urged by the legal
representative of the Government and
under the direction Of the Cabinet, is
fifty called quasi recognition of the
Cubans as belligerenss, for in it lies en-
bodied the idea that it is for the pur-
pose of protecting our neutrality laws.
Spain and the people of Cuba are two
distinct communities, and that neither
must tranIple on the rights of the
other while enjoying the hOspitalities
of the United States. The main
ground of their seizure is, however,
that they are intended to be used
against Il foreign State, with whom
the United States arc at peace, tO-wit:
the Republic of Peru. A recent de-
mand by the Spanish Minister for their
release was refused by the Govern
ment. Aspecial dispatch from Wash
ingtOn asserts that the American
squadron in the West India waters
has been augmented, specially in view
of the contingencies that may arise in
consequence OF the action of the United
States in the matter Of the Spanish
gunbOats.
The Tines states that the Spanish
war steamer PizarFO, which arrived
here Saturday, came for the purpose
of acting convoy to the Spanish gun
boats in case the Government did not
interfere, and stop them from going to
sea.
The first convoy was to consist of
fifteen boats, whose officers and crew
were to be obtained from among the
surplus number on board of the war
steamer. Fifteen of the thirty are
complete, and could be got ready for
sea in a day and a half. Nothing re-
mains to be done but to furnish coal
and provisions. The remaining fif-
teen are rapidly approaching compile
tion, and it IS expected the whole
fleet will be finished within seventeen
days.
There is a rumOr that three of the
gunbOats escaped to sea yesterday.
WAsHINGTON, November 23.-The
object of iibelIing the Spanish gum
boats now under detention at New
York, is simply to bring the question
before the court, with a view TO retain
the vessels, and it is between the
contractors and the government, and
not in the aspect inferred by Spain
through its representative. The as
surance is given in official quarters
that there is nothing political in the
legal proceedings of our government
in connection with the affairs of Cuba.
District Attorney PierpOnt, of New
York, is preparing a writ of attach
ment against the Spanish gunboats,
and they are to be libelled tomorrow,
on the ground that they are intended
to be used against Peru. 1t is said
that the vessels may be ultimately
released, if the Spanish government,
through their Minister, will file bonds
that they will not be used against IA
nation at peace with the United
States.