The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1893-01-05
ANONYMOUS PATRIOT.
Loan of S5,OO0,O0O to Our Government
at Critical Hour.

at u Critical Hour.
st. Paul Pioneer-rrcss.
A good many things were doncat the
time of the civil war in this country which
were of great value to the Federal Govern
mcnt, but which history has never recog-
nized. Perhaps it will always remain a
mystery who it was that placed ut the
disposal Of the Government great for
tune of gold without asking any security,
so that thereby the cruisers built i'll Eng
land for the Confederate Government
were never permitted to sail out OF English
harbors.
In the early days Of the war certain
ship builders in Great Britain received
commissions from the Confederate Gov
ernmcnt to build some very swift steam
ships, which were to he armed with long
raugc guns, and which, sailing under
letters of marque, were expected TO inHict
great damage upon the vessels sailing
under thc Union flag.
Charles Francis Adams was Minister
from the United States to the British
court, aud he Was very anxious about
these ships, because lie knew that il they
were ever permitted to sail from English
ports the damage they would do TO vessels
sailing un1cr the American flag would he
enormous He protested to the British
Government, but was told that the Gov
ernment had no information that these
ships were designed to prey upon the
commerce Of the United States. Unless
Mr.. Adams could furnish that information
the British Government could take no
steps TO restrain them.
The vessels were being built, and they
were almost ready to>put TO open sea when
Mr.. Adams appeared before. the British
authorities with the proof, which he had
obtained in manner which he alone
knew, and which he kept as a secret to
the day Of his death, that these vessels
were paid for with Confederate money
and he also furnished complete list of
officers and crew who were to sail upon
them. He furnished ether evidence which
was convincing.
At the time it was said the Ministry
was not friendly TO the Union cause and
would lie glad to see the Confederate
Government maintain itself. The law of
nations is very strict however, so that
England could bc accused Of doing an UNI
friendly act if it permitted these vessels
to depart aftor such evidence. Mr.. Adams
believed that the Ministry would find some
technical way % avoid responsibility, and
he had reason for that belief.
A day or two after he had made his
protest, with proof, lie received word from
the British authorities that if he would
deposit $1,000, 600 in gold Immediately, to
protect the British Government against
suit for damages, the vessels would rot be
allowed to depart.
Mr.. Adams was in despair, He believed
this to he trick. Of course he had not
5000 600 M his instant command, and,
as there was no ocean cable in these days,
he could not get it from his Government
in much less than three weeks time. Be-
fore he could hear from Washington City
these cruisers would be out upon The high
seas.
AS he sat III his Office, grieving greatly
over this peril, n gentleman walked in
and asked that absolute privacy be secured
for rcWmoments. When these twomen
were alcnc, secure from eaycstlrorpins,
this visitor said to Mr.. Adams: 81 have
Just learned Of the demand made upon YOU
for $5,000,00O in gold MS guarantee to
the British Government to protect them
in case they prevent the sailing of these
cruisers. j know that you cannot COM
maud any such sum of money as that until
You hear from, Washington. | believe
this has been done to enable the vessels
to sail away Therefore, have come 10
oiTrs you, mr. Adams, The $a,dh0,eao in
gold, aid si,avs only one condition to I'M
pose, and ii,a. is.rns name he never known
IN this transaction.
slr. Adams @as amazed. II seemed to
him MS though This WAS u direct interpo-
sifi0n of ProNi1crce. After Thanking
most earnestly this l,enefacsor, Nj Albums
sail:
81 have 30 security to Offer you except