CONCERNING

CLAIMS AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN,

TRANSMITTED TO THE

SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

IN ANSWER TO THE

RESOLUTIONS OF DECEMBER + AND 10, 1867, AND OF MAY 27, 1868.

PAPERS

RELATING TO

CLAIMS AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN.

GENERAL APPENDIX No. I.

Proclamations and declarations of powers other than Great Britain, issued subsequently to the

Queen's proclamation of neutrality.

3

1861.
Mr. Sanford to July 2 Inclosing copy of notice in Moniteur,"
Mr. Seward.

(official,) of 25th June, in regard to priva-
teers, &c. Belgian adheres to principles
of Paris declaration of 1856 ; will not allow
privateers to enter her ports, except in
distress; and refuses to recognize commis-
sions or letters of marque. Belgium sub-
jects engaging in privateering are liable
to be treated as pirates abroad, and to be
prosecuted at home with utmost rigor of
the law.

FRANCE.

4

10 Mr. Dayton to June 12 Inclosing copy of “Le Moniteur Universel,"
Mr. Seward.

containing Emperor's formal declaration in
respect to privateers, &c. Prohibits vessels
of war and privateers of either belligerent
from remaining in French ports more than
twenty-four hours, except in distress; also
prohibits sale of captured goods in said
ports; forbids French subjects to aid or
engage in privateering or equipment of
vessels of war for either party, or to enlist
in their military or naval service, and
commands them to abstain from all viola-
tions of neutrality at home or abroad. In-
fringement of these prohibitions subjects
the offender to prosecution and the loss of
protection of his government.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

5

5 Mr. Dryer to Mr. Sept. 7 Inclosing copy of King's proclamation, which
Seward.

declares neutrality between United States
and “certain States thereof, styling them-
selves Confederate States of America.” All
captures made within King's jurisdiction
are unlawful. All subjects, or persons re-
siding within the realm, are prohibited
from aiding or engaging in privateering,
on pain of losing protection of the govern-

8

18 | Mr. Appleton to

June 3 | Inclosing copies of two orders of Russian

9

1861.
7 Mr. Perry to Mr. | June 19 Inclosing copy of royal decree, which pro-
Sewari.

claims neutrality; forbids all arming,
equipping, or providing of privateers,
under any flag, in Spanish ports; or ac-
ceptance of letters of marque by Spanish
subjects; or entry into Spanish ports of
privateers or prizes, except in distress;
or the sale of captured goods in said ports;
or blockade-running, carrying contraband
of war and dispatches for either party; or
enlistment of Spanish subjects in belli-
gerent service, on pain of prosecution at

home, and loss of protection of government. 56 Mr. Savage to Sept. 6 Inclosing copies of correspondence with ConMr. Seward.

sul Martin, at Matanzas, in reference to the
entry into that port of vessels bearing the
confederate flag; also copy of decree of
Captain General of Cuba, permitting entry
of such vessels to discharge and take on
cargoes in the ports of Cuba, provided
their papers excite no suspicion of piracy
or other crime against the law of nations,
and regarding such vessels as coming from
a country which has no accredited consul
in Cuban territory. Mr. Savage has made
no communication to the authorities on
the subject.

10

GENERAL APPENDIX No. II.

Hasty recognition of rebel belligerency. By George Bemis.

12 14

23

Preface....
The new position of the British ministry-

that the American proclamation of block-
ade of the confederate ports necessitated
the Queen's proclamation of neutrality-
an afterthought.
The American proclamation of blockade not

the occasion of the recognition of confed-
erate belligerency, because, supposing the
former to have been officially commu-
nicated, it was not known to have been
enforced at the date of the latter; and,
furthermore, if enforced, was not such an
act as ought to have been internationally

treated as an act of war.
Correction of various misstatements of His-

toricus in his article of March 22, and
incidental notice of Earl Russell's dis-
patch to Lord Lyons of March 6, 1861.
The recognition of confederate belligerency

not a bygone, but a continuing reality.
Appendix-the neutrality of England-com-
munication of Historicus to the London

Times of March 22, 1865.
British neutrality-hasty recognition of rebel

belligerency and our right to complain ofit.

26

32

33

Mr. Vernon Har

court.

Mr. George Bemis

37