Walker shows in all this emergency a fear of being crippled for want of coal. On the 21st of March he was arranging for a cargo in the port of Bermuda. On the 29th of March he writes that he has purchased that cargo, and wants more.2 On the 16th of May he urges Iluse to send coal. "Every steamer takes from one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty tons." He has but six hundred tons left.3 On the 23d of May he again calls attention "most earnestly to the [278] *importance of keeping him supplied with good steam coal." He "hopes that some are already on the way." His "stock is almost exhausted." On the 30th of June he cries "send us coal, coal, coal! Each steamer takes one hundred and eighty tons, so that six hundred tons will be quickly consumed."5 Again on the 9th of July he writes “coal, coal, coal. Send me two thousand tons. The Lee, I fear, will be laid up for the want of it. You may calculate that each steamer will take one hundred and eighty tons." He wrote also to Fraser, Trenholm & Co., to the same effect, saying that there should be a there of at least three or four thousand tons." Shipments were made, and the supplies reached him before there was any serious detention of the blockade-runners. He was enabled to fulfill all the orders given in Richmond a short time before the advance of Lee's army into Pennsyl vania. "reserve The insurgent Gov. blockade-running. In spite of the countenance given by the authorities in Bermuda and Nassau, funds could not be forwarded fast enough to Major Huse to meet the great demands made upon him at this erniment interested in time. On the 23d of July, 1863, "on behalf of the Con[279] federate Government," he made an arrangement with *the Mer cantile Trading Company for an advance of £150,000, to be extended to £300,000, for the purchase of goods for the insurgents, and their shipment by the company, "via Bermuda, Nassau, or Havana ;" "the Confederate Government to have two-thirds cargo space in each vessel, the company one-third each way;" "the cotton received from the Confederate States to be consigned to the company's agency in Liverpool." Stringer, the managing director of the company, soon became doubtful of Huse's powers, and wrote Mr. Mason, saying that he had already advanced him £20,000 on saltpeter, and inquiring about the powers; to which Mason replied that he did not know about the extent of Huse's powers, but that he had no doubt that the saltpeter would be taken by the insurgents.10 Stringer's doubts were soon set at rest; for it would seem that about that time there must have been received in London an agreement without date, executed in Richmond by "J. Gorgas, Colonel, Chief of Ordnance," and "approved" by "J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War," which probably replaced the temporary agreement of July 23. Five steamers were to be put on to run from Bermuda or Nassau to Charleston or Wilmington, two thirds to [280] be owned by the insur* gents, and one-third by the British con tractors. The insurgents were to pay for their two-thirds in cotton, at Charleston, and were to be allowed commissions for their part of Walker to Huse, 21 March, Vol. VII, page 50. 2 Same to same, Vol. VII, page 50. 3 Same to same, 16th May, 1863, Vol. VII, page 52. 4 Same to same, Vol. VII, page 53. 5 Same to same, Vol. VII, page 55. 6 Same to same, Vol. VII, page 56. 7 Walker to Huse, Vol. VII, page 57. 8 Memorandum made in London, 23d July, 1863, Vol. VI, page 136. 9 Stringer to Mason, 16th September, 1863, Vol. VI, page 134. 10 Mason to Stringer, 19th September, 1863, Vol. VI, page 138. S. Ex. 31-8 the work, the other contracting parties having a similar allowance. The portion of the proceeds of cotton belonging to the insurgents was "to be paid to the credit of the War Department with Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., of Liverpool." The insurgents were to furnish officers to command the vessels. The document was signed by "C. E. Thorburn,” and by "Chas. H. Reid & Co.," and by "The Mercantile Trading Co., Limited; Edgar P. Stringer, Managing Director, London, 23d September, 1863."1 Mr. Thorburn was a shareholder in the Trading Company, and on the 3d of October Mr. Stringer is found corresponding with him about the purchase of these vessels.3 Meanwhile the operations of the insurgents at Nassau and Bermuda had gone on with even more vigor than during the previous year. Huse's credit had been strained to the utmost, but was now restored. The purchases and supplies for the Quartermaster's Department appear to have been transferred during this summer exclusively to Nassau. Seixas was instructed to place one thousand bales of cotton at Nassau for the Quartermaster's Department, before the close of [281] the year, and was told that "the wants of the Quartermaster General are at Nassau, not Bermuda." Heyliger diligently complied with his instructions to forward quartermaster's stores. On the 29th of October he sent 40 tons by the "Antonica," "Margaret," and "Jessie." On the 2d of November he shipped by the "Hansa" 19 tons; the next day by the "Beauregard" 40 or 50 tons; and a large quantity by the "Alice;" and on the 5th of November he sent 20 tons by the "Banshee." The "Margaret" and the "Jessie" were captured; the others ran the blockade. The Quartermaster's Department was much employed in collecting and forwarding cotton to meet these purchases.5 Major Ferguson was in Liverpool at this time as an agent for the purchase of quartermaster's stores, and was sending large amounts forward. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. refused his drafts, because Heyliger had already overdrawn the Quartermaster's account. Ferguson thereupon wrote, urging that cotton should be forwarded. "I have," he says, "more faith in cotton than I ever had. If we can but get that out, we can buy all England, for most of the men, as well as [282] their merchandise, have a price." These facts brought to Earl notice. On the 3d of November, 1863, Mr. Adams, laid before Earl Russell "new proofs of the manner in which the neutrality of Her Russell's Majesty's ports is abused by the insurgents in the United States, in order the more effectually to procrastinate their resistance," which he contended showed the "establishment in the port of St. George's, in the island of Bermuda, of a depot of naval stores for their use and benefit in the prosecution of the war." This information should have put Lord Russell on the track of all the facts in regard to Bermuda. Had Her Majesty's Government pursued the investigations to which it gave them the clew, it would have done so. Earl Russell, He sees no offense on the 27th of November. answered that "Her Majesty's Government do not consider that they can properly interfere in this matter." The dates would seem to indicate a possibility that no inquiries were made at Bermuda. in them. 1 Vol. VI, page 140. 2Vol. VI, page 144. 3 Vol. VI, page 143. 4 Bayne to Seixas, September 29, 1863, Vol. VI, page 139. 6 Fraser, Trenholm & Co. to Lawton, November 26, 1863, Vol. VI, page 149. Vol. I, page 738. On the 29th of December, 1863, Mr. Adams wrote Earl Russell that he had "information entitled to credit," that Ralph Cator, "an officer in Her Majesty's naval service," was "engaged in violating the [283] blockade;" and that there was "a strong disposition on the part of a portion of Her Majesty's navy to violate the neutrality of their Sovereign in aiding and assisting the enemies of the United States." This, too, was answered in a week from its date, without taking the trouble to inquire in the West Indies.2 Again, upon the 25th day of January, 1864, Mr. Adams called attention to "he manner in which the insurgents habitually abuse the belligerent privileges which have been conceded to them by Great Britain." It would seem that he had lately had a conversation with Earl Russell on the subject, for he says that he "deems it almost superfluous to enlarge further on the difficulties which must grow out of a toleration of the outrageous abuses of the belligerent privileges that have been granted to the insurgents." "It would be difficult," he adds, "to find an example in history of a more systematic and persistent effort to violate the neutral position of a country than this one has been from its commencement, that has not brought on a war. That this has been the object of the parties engaged in it I have never for a moment doubted." "It must be obvious," he says, "to your Lordship that, after such an expo sition, all British subjects engaged in these violations of blockade [284] must incur a suspicion *strong enough to make them liable to be treated as enemies, and, if taken, to be reckoned as prisoners of war." 4 to these facts. Earl Russell replied to this note on the 9th of March. He ignored the evidence and charges of the hostile use of the British West Earl Russell's at India ports. He alluded to a charge against Lieutenant tention again called Rooke, which he set aside as unimportant, and to a charge against one James Ash of a purpose to build ships for the insurgents. As to the latter charge, he reiterated the oft-repeated plea that there was no "legal and proper evidence" to sustain it; and having disposed of these, he confined himself to a notice of Mr. Adams's intimation that it might become necessary to treat blockade-runners as prisoners of war. This, he said, could not be assented to. A short discussion ensued, which was closed by a note of Mr. Adams, transmitting further evidence of the character of the trade between the British West Indian ports and the insurgent States, and calling Earl Russell's "particular attention to the express condition exacted from all vessels in trade with the insurgent ports, that one-half of the tonnage of each vessel may be employed by the so-called Government for its [285] own use, both on the outward and homeward voyage; " to which Earl Russell replied in an answer in which he said, in substance, that admitting all the facts stated to be true, there was nothing in them worthy of attention; for "the subjects of Her Ma- He again sees no jesty are entitled by International Law to carry on the operations of commerce equally with both belligerents, subject to the capture of their vessels and to no other penalty."7 offense in them. This discussion closed the correspondence which took place between the two Governments on this branch of the subject. It left Great Britain justifying all that took place, after actual knowledge of much, and pos 1 Vol. I, page 739. 3 Vol. I, page 746. sible knowledge of all, had been brought within its reach. It left, too, the Queen's Proclamation as to this subject virtually revoked, and Her Majesty's subjects assured that it was no violation of international duty to break the blockade. It is worthy of remark that Lord Westbury, the Lord High Chancellor, gave a judicial decision to the same effect,1 which was soon after followed by the High Court of Admiralty. The executive and judicial branches of the British Government were thus a second time brought into *accord in construing away Her Ma- [286] jesty's Proclamation. Blockade running the insurgent Gov Blockade-running throve, and Nassau and Bermuda prospered under these repeated decisions of Her Majesty's Government. The in partnership with Florida, too, arrived at Bermuda on the 16th of July, 1864, and remained there until the 27th, taking coal and supplies on board; and this at a time when like permission was refused to the vessels of the United States. ernment. It was a favorite idea of the insurgent authorities from the beginning to become interested with Englishmen as partners in blockade-running. One contract to that effect has already been alluded to. In July, 1864, McRae reported other contracts.3 Captain Bullock, with whom (he said) I [McRae] am directed by the Secretary of the Treasury to consult," was a party to the transaction. These contracts "made provisions for fourteen steamers, four to leave during the month of August, eight in December, and two in April, 1865."3 They were to be "built of steel, and to carry one thousand bales of cotton each, on a draught of seven feet water, and with an average speed of thirteen knots per hour." 993 Arrangements were at the same time made for the purchase of supplies for Huse and Ferguson pending the fin*ishing of the vessels. The "Owl" was the first of these vessels [287] to arrive. The insurgent Navy Department claimed the right "to place a naval officer in charge of her in conformity with regulations."4 The treasury doubted this, but Mallory insisted upon his right. This drew from Bullock an indignant letter, complaining that the navy had taken these vessels. Good ships were building for the navy; why take these vessels, which were not suited for naval purposes." On the 5th of October, 1864, orders were given for more arms, and McRae was ordered to supply Huse with $50,000 for the purpose. On the 26th of November, Ferguson reports his doings in the purchase of woolen goods, and gives the reason for "making Liverpool his headquarters. As late as the 7th of January, 1865, McRae is ordered to pay to Bullock £105,000. The steamer "Laurel," the same which took the arms and men to the Shenandoah, was then in Wilmington. She was sent out with a cargo of cotton, with instructions to the officer in command to sell the steamer and the cotton, and to pay Bullock £12,000 out of the proceeds, putting the balance to the credit of the treasury, with Fraser, Trenholm & Co. No efforts seem to [288] have been spared to sustain the dying fortunes of the insurrection. The insurgents, at the last, fell into the unaccountable error of supposing that the British Government intended to interfere with their 111 Jurist N. S., 400. 2 Law Reports Admiralty and Ecclesiastical Courts, Browning, Vol. I, page 1. 3 McRae to Seddon, July 4, 1864, Vol. VI, page 163. Mallory to Trenholin, September 21, 1864, Vol. VI, page 171. 5 Same to same, September 22, 1864, Vol. VI, page 172. 6 Bullock to McRae, November 1, 1864, Vol. VI, page 173. 7 Gorgas to Seddon, October 5, 1864, Vol. VI, page 172. Ferguson to Lawton, November 26, 1864, Vol. VI, page 175. 9 Trenholm to Fraser, Trenholm & Co., December 24, 1864, Vol. VI, page 177. blockade-running. They changed the apparent ownership of the Stag into the name of John Fraser & Co., lest it should be seized as "a transport owned by the Confederate States, engaged in the blockade." It is needless to say that the precaution was not required. Evidence had over and over again been laid before Lord Russell that these blockade-runners were, in fact, transports of the insurgents, carrying their funds for Liverpool, and bringing back their arms and munitions of war, and that the operations of these vessels were brought clearly. within the terms of the Foreign Enlistment Act; but he ever turned a deaf ear to the charges. On the 15th of March, 1865, Mr. Adams complained of this matter for the last time. The United States steamer San Jacinto Continued partiality. having been wrecked on the Bahamas, and her officers and crew having found shelter at Nassau, the "Honduras," also a man-of war, was sent there for the purpose of paying in coin the claims [289] for salvage. *The Consul asked permission for the "Honduras" to enter the port, which was refused, although the "Florida" had, less than six months before, remained eleven days at Bermuda, and taken on board a full supply of coal. In bringing this breach of hospitality to the notice of Earl Russell, Mr. Adams said: "I shall not seek to dwell on the painful impression this proceeding has made in the Naval Department of the United States, which at the same time had too much reason to be cognizant of the abuse made of that port by persons practically engaged in hostilities in violation of Her Majesty's Proclamation. There was no single day during the month in which this incident happened that thirty-five vessels, engaged in breaking the blockade, were not to be seen flaunting their contraband flags in that port. Neither has its hospitality been restricted to that hybrid class of British ships running its illegal ventures on joint account with the insurgent authorities in the United States. The Chameleon, not inaptly named, but before known as the Tallahassee, and still earlier as a British steamer fitted out from London to play the part of a privateer out of Wilmington, was lying at that very time in Nassau, relieved indeed of her guns, but still retaining all the attributes of her hostile occupation. But a few days earlier the steamer Laurel, whose [290] history is already too well known to your Lordship, by my note of the 7th instant, had reappeared after its assumption of the name of the Confederate States, and had there been not only received, but commissioned with a post mail to a port of Her Majesty's Kingdom." Lord Russell took no notice of Mr. Adams's charge, that many of these blockade-runners were, in fact, transports in the insurgent service, and that the ports of Nassau and Bermuda were depots of ordnance and quartermasters' stores. His only reply, made four days after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, was a repetition of the old story, "there is nothing in the law of nations which forbids the attempt of neutral ship-owners or commanders to evade the blockade." To the last the British Government refused to interfere. The fears which induced the insurgents to try to cover up the ownership of the "Stag" were groundless. The partnership continued until the United States interfered, and closed the business, before the English partners could deliver the last vessels under the contract. It is necessary to add a few words in regard to the closing operations of Bullock's department, before bringing this imperfect outline of Great Britain's violation of its duties as a neutral to a close. Trenholm to Mallory, December 17, 1864, Vol. VI, page 176. |