The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-09
MUCH MOREsMOKETHAN POWDER
A Vessels Cargo I'm Dispute. and Some
Talk About War Munimcnts.

Captain 5. III. Dodd, master OF the
schooner +. G.. Irwin, which arrived here
| last Saturday from New York, was arrested
Yesterday upon warrant charging him
with an attempted violation OF the Federal
neutrality laws. At the same time the ves-
sci was also seized and placed in charge Of
I Captain George Clifford. who was sworn in
as special deputy marshal for that duty.
! The information which led to the arrest
Of Captain Dodd and the seizure Of
the vessel was given TO the customs
officers here by one OF the vessels crew.
1t was to the effect that when the vessel on
her way hther was off Hog Island she lay
to and sIgnaled for two days for some
other vessel, which did not appear; that
Captain Dodd, the master, then sailed into
| Hampton Roads. where he received in
structions to proceed to Richmond. Upon
this information an officer boarded the yes-
sci and made an examination, which re-
suited in the finding, slowed away in the
hold, OF some two or three hundred boxes
marked hardware" which contained a
| large number OF Winchester and repeating
rifles, pistols, accoutrementS, and fixed
ammunition; also. several cannon, with
necessary carriages. &c. The officer took
charge OF the ships papers, which were
held at the custom-hOuse until yesterday,
when the matter was brought to the atten-
ton OF United States Commissioner Plea
SAINTS, who issued a warrant for the arrest
OF the captain and ordered the seizure OF
the schooner.
The manifest as issued by the New York
custom-hOuse only named three articles
pig-iron, cement, and gunpowder-as con-
sti ha 10
was received at the cuStom-hOuSc here an
addition had been made embodying the
hardware" above mentioned.
Commissioner Peasants continued the
case until this morning at 10 O'Clock. when
an investigation will be held. Captain
Dodd was bailcd in $1,000 for his appear
ance at that time, with John y. Curtis.
Esq. as his surety.
The action OF the customs officers and
the United States Commissioner was based
upon the circumstances above related,
which, to say the least, were suspicious.
and indicated that the only thing which
prevented the war material being trans
fcrred to another vessel for transportation
to some other port outside OF the United
States was the failure Of the expected veS-
sci to be on hand mt the appointed rendez-
yous.
The truth is, the vessel that was expected
to come alongside and take the cmgo in
Hampton Roads did not arrive by reason
Of the fact that it had been seized in New
York on suspicion OF being about to take
arms hence, in violation OF the neutrality
laws OF nations.
No case OF any importance can be made
against the master or the vessel. No duty
was necessary on the articles marked
hardware" and as soon as the shippers
find that their goods are held here they
will come forward and ask by what law
their goods have been seized. The fact
that no consignee was named does not
amount to anything, as it not unfrequenty
happens that coastwiSe trading-yessels
often deliver freight in Just this way.
The case will be decided this morning.