The National tribune., 1888-08-09


Ht chat time was trading IN cotton, and hundreds
of spectators flocked to Yicksburg and other
river points. where they t0rmented the officers
in command for passes and permits TO trade
with the natives. Under certain restrictions
and rules q limited number Of Northern men
were given permits by the Secretary OF the
Treasury to 60 into the cotton belt with money
and non-contraband merchandise, there TO
trade for cotton, which was in great demand
and high IN price. To get permit required
influence and an unguestioned reputation Tor
loyalty But the lax enforcement of the laws
aud military orders naturally enough let N
many traders who were dishonest, and the
favors shown cOiton-buyers were often greatly
abused, and large quantities Of coniraband
goods were struggled through the lines and
traded to the rebels FOR the much-wanted
staple To break up this unlawful traffic Maj.
Mckee bent every effort, and number OF the
most skillfui detectives were employed 10 ferret
out the il-doers and bring them to justice.
lit was soon ascertained that one Of the most
open violators of the law and orders was cor
uOration Of British capitalists, organized under
the laws Of New York for the special purpose
Of trading IL cotton and shipping the same d.
rect 10 the factories in England. have for
gotten the name Of the corporation, but IFS title
was high sounding utterly English and had
affixed thereto the usual Limited" The
concern owned a number Of good steamers OF
light draft which were kept busy plying among
the lago0ns, bay0us and small streams con-
Dected with the Mississippi River 1t was very
strongly susDected that these boats were loaded
partly with contraband goods, and even arms
and ammunition, which at that time brought
enormous prices in the enemy's country.
Upon assuming the duties Of Provost Mar
shsl. Mai. Mckee at once directed the obsery-
ance Of the strictest vigilance and caused 10 be
made close and careful examination Of the
freight Of all boats that came into his district
OF course, this action caused great deal o.
squirming among the suspected parties, and
the
PROTESTS FROM THE BRITISH SYNDICATE
were loud and long. But the occasional dis
e0very Of bale Of gray cloth marked - cotton
seed sacks" and Of barrel OF forty-rOd whisky
marked pickles" only whetted the curiosity
Of the detectives, and their increased vigilance
was met By the evil-doers with new devices fol
smuggling. Percussion caps were hidden in
bollow broom handles, rebel uniform button!
were snusly tucked away in the center OF {
barrel Of h0miny, and qulnine was often found
in box of lemons Of course, when trader
was caught III q smuggling transaction his per
NIT was revoked and he was sent beyond oul
lines. only to appear again within short time
with new permit and better facilities than be
fore Tor carrying Oh business
None OF the cotton buyers in the District o
Vicl1sbuFg caused the Provost Marshal so mucl
trouble As the English syndicate. They were ar
T0gant. wealthy, insOient and defiant as oni.
Englishmen can be, and although often caught
in the fagrant violation Of the law, so great wa
their inhuence 1t Washington that they wer'
enabled to keep right on with their immens
operations up and down the river. The leniencl
shown them was no doubt due, in a grea
measure, to the desire OF our Government L
avoid international complications with Eng
hand az that time.
Mai Mckee was determined, however, {
break the power Of this culprit, and elab0rat