Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Circular.
Nile, at
Bermuda,
February 16, 1863.
Sir: The recent shipment of treasure from
the blockaded port of Mobile, by her Majesty’s ship Vesuvius, on the
ground that it was certified by her Majesty’s consul to be bona fide British property, having convinced
me that an erroneous impression as to the legal effect of a properly
constituted blockade too generally prevails, I deem it right to
point out to the officers in command of ships under my orders that
even communication by neutral ships-of-war with a blockaded port are
permissive only, and to be regarded as a
relaxation of the more rigid rule of war which formerly obtained,
and which would probably be again reverted to in a great maritime
war; and, further, that ships-of-war so communicating are not
invested with a shadow of right to embark any property with the
object of passing the blockade. The captains of her Majesty’s ships
under my orders are, therefore—unless at the requisition of her
Majesty’s minister at Washington, or with the written permission of
the officer commanding the blockading squadron, which they are,
however, on no account to seek or ask for themselves—to refuse to
receive, for the above purpose, any specie or other goods, whether
bona fide British or not, except the
official despatches of British and French consuls, and those of such
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consular officers of
other powers in amity with the United States as are sent out in
their official capacity and paid by their respective governments,
and who are not engaged in trade.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
ALEX. MILNE, Vice-Admiral and
Commander-in-Chief.
To, —— ——, Her Majesty’s Ship———
