St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-03

worth about $3.50 per pound in America. |
The bales in Liverpool averaged about |
hive hundred pounds each. This cotton |
was held to meet some heavy contracts.
AT llege there were orders placed for
100000 stands of arms, muskets gener-
ally. These were to be paid for from
the sales of the Havre and Liverpool
cotton. The Confederate government
Kept four great bank accounts in Eu-
rope. The one with the Erlangers, in
Paris. was probably the largest. Baron
Erlanger,S relations with the Confeder-
ate chiefs were closer than those of any
other of the
CoNFEDERACY's BANKERS,
for Erlanger had married Mr.. Slidell's
daughter. Smith, Payne & Smith, of
London. had some of the Confederacy'S
money, and there was e160,000 in the
Bank of England and its agencies in
Liverpool and the Clyde ports. The
cash was subject to the check of the
leading Confederate agent in England,
while the cotton was in the sole
purchasing agent in Europe. AT
that time there was property in Eng
land, France, and Belgium belonging to
the Confederate government worth about
$4,000, 600. 1t was everywhere, and had
the United States officials in England
and France managed the business with
proper discretion all of it might have
been secured. But somebody blum
dered," and this sum has now been so
covered up that it would be impossible
to get it.
Within the time named the purchaser
of the Petrol arrived at st. Johns, and
about week thereafter he was joined
by gOod-lOoking gentleman, whom
Capt. SilaS Mariner, commanding the
Petrel. declared to his first mate was
either then or had at some time been a
naval officer.
Il know 'em by their cut" said he,
land could tell one if he was in Iniun
war paint. They can't meyer get navy
often 'em."
So March passed away. st. Johns is
a dull place at any time, but in winter
men had lodgings ashore. but came down
to the handsome little steamer every
day. From the conversation the captain
was unable to form any idea of what
they were going to do. But one after
noon change seemed to have come
over them both. They were excited,
and the owners friend gave an order
which surprised Capt. Mariner very
much. ''YOu will fill your bunllers with
COAL said he, ''if they are not full now.
kindie your fires, and keep them
banked. Yeep your men all on board,
and be ready to sail in half an hour
after you get the word. That's all"
and the two gentlemen left the ship, but
not until the one who had given the
order carefully examined everything
relating to the machinery and her hand
ling.
Cant fool me-" said the captain to
his chief officer; ''that's an old navy
man, that's what he is, an one that
knows his business, too. Tell you what,
he talked like he wuz on to his quarter
deck when he Civ that order"
The captain obeyed his order and IN
such way as to merit the high approval
of the man who gave it.
The great army under Grant
WAS CRUSHING OUT
its smaller, weaker antagonist. 1t had
been evident for month that the end
OF the Confederacy was not far away.
Sunday, April s, the owner of the
Petrol, while on board, received tele-
gram from somewhere that was of great
Importance. Get your stewards stores
on board at once" said he to Capt.
Mariner, for we may sail any hour"
ask" ventured the captain. The other
hesitated moment, then replied: For
Liverpool" At 3 O'Clock April 9 both
gentlemen, each with light vaIise,
came aboard. ''How long will it take
you to clear out of this?" asked the
owner. Half an hour was the an
swer. ''Then do it," And the owner
and his guest went down to the main
cabin and saloon, which they had to-
gether. The owners guest came up in
few minutes and watched them get
.lFA,.N lnlE In4s, Il,
ances and all were on board, and the
wheels began to turn. ''Just thirty
minutes" said he to Capt. Mariner;
very good work, too"
L he owner came up the gangWay at
that moment. Now, captain" said he,
Il want to get to Liverpool as quick as
this ship can take us. How soon can
you do it?''
well, sir" the captain cautiously re-
piled. ''if the wind holds as it is now, Git
was westerly and nothing gives way,
you'll be at Victoria docks by Friday
noon." ''Do it, do it, was the answer,
land I'll double the pay of the entire
crew, officers, firemen. and all.'
At sunrise Friday morning the Welsh
peaks were in sight, and i'll three hours
thereafter they were alongside Victoria
docks. The owner had a bag of
ENGLISH SOvEREIGNS
in his hands. AS they were making
their landing he had written about a
dozen kilograms. ''Pay off everybody"
said he handing the gold to the captain,
land III few days you will hear from
me. | may want to go back in a hurry,
so have everything ready" The two
gentlemen left the ship together The
owner was in great good luck. The
fastest train on the London & North
western was just about starting as he
got to the Lime street station. His
friend had remained in Liverpool and
sent the kilograms the other had writ
ten.
There was no Atlantic cable in those
days, and it was the 18th of April be-
fore the royal mail steamers brought
the news of Lees surrender and the
end Of the war.
There had been rumors a day or two
before this that a collapse had occurred,
but nobody believed them. Charles
Francis Adams, our minister to the
court of st. James, announced the SUI
render of Lee and Johnston officially,
and the most obstinate upholder of the
South in London knew then it was true
On the 2lst Mr.. Adams telegraphed the
American consul general to seize and
take posse esSion of the cotton belonging
to the late confederacy then in Liver
poor Ill Tie ntlne OF tne nlted States.
Three hours thereafter the consul GEN
eraI, in great excitement. answered:
There is no cotton here belonging to
the confederacy!"
-
What occurred was this:
The American banker went to Lon
don and sold Confederate bonds short as
long as he could find purchaser. and
he had active agents selling for him in
the exchanges of Liverpool, Edinburgh.
Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and