です
ROIT
THE HONGKONG
Government Gazette.
Published by Authority.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 5тп AUGUST, 1865.
VOL. XI.
No. 31.
No. 121.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following Circular Despatch from The Right Honorable The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, announcing the recognition on the part of Her Majesty's Government of the restoration of peace within the territory of the United States, and defining the course to be adopted towards Confederate Vessels of War, is published for general information.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 1st August, 1865.
W. H. ALEXANDER, Acting Colonial Secretary.
CIRCULAR.
DOWNING STREET, Srd June, 1865.
SIR,-I transmit to you herewith, for your information and guidance, Copy of a Letter from Earl Russell, announcing that Her Majesty's Government recognize that peace has been restored within the territory of the United States, and defining the course to be adopted in consequence towards Confederate Vessels in British Waters.-I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
The Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.
EDWARD CARDWELL.
Earl Russell to Mr. Cardwell.*
FOREIGN OFFICE, June 2, 1865.
SIR, I have the honour to state to you that since the date of my letter of the 11th ultimo intelligence has reached this country that the late President of the so-called Confederate States has been captured by the military forces of the United States, and has been transported as a prisoner to Fort Monroe, and that the armies hitherto kept in the field by the Confederate States have for the most part surrendered or dispersed.
In this posture of affairs Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that neutral nations cannot but consider the civil war in North America as at an end.
In conformity with this opinion Her Majesty's Government recognize that peace has been restored within the whole territory of which the United States of North America before the commencement of the civil war were in undisturbed possession.
As a necessary consequence of such recognition on the part of Her Majesty's Government, Her Majesty's several authorities in all ports, harbours, and waters belonging to Her Majesty, whether in the United Kingdom or beyond the seas, must henceforth refuse permission to any vessel of war carrying a Confederate flag to enter any such ports, harbours, and waters; and must require any Confederate vessels of war which, at the time when these orders reach Her Majesty's authorities such ports, harbours, and waters may have already entered therein on the faith of Proclamations heretofore issued by Her Majesty, and which, having complied with the provisions of such Proclamations, may be actually within such ports, harbours, and waters, forthwith to depart from them. ✔
But Her Majesty's Government consider that a due regard for national good faith and honour requires that Her Majesty's authorities should be instructed, as regards any such Confederate vessels so departing, that they should have the benefit of the prohibition heretofore enforced against pursuit of them within twenty-four hours by a cruizer of the United States lying at the time within any such ports, harbours, and waters, and that such prohibition should be then and for the last time maintained in their favour.✅
If, however, the Commander of any Confederate vessel of war which may be found in any port, harbour, or waters of Her Majesty's dominions at the time these new orders are received by Her Majesty's authorities, or may enter such port, Larbour, or waters, within a month after these new orders are received, should wish to divest his vessel of her warlike character, and, after disarining her, to remain without a Confederate flag within British waters, Her Majesty's authorities may allow the Commander of such vessel to do so at his own risk in all respects, in which case he should be distinctly apprised that he is to expect no further protection from Her Majesty's Government, except such as he may be entitled to in the ordinary course of the administration of the law in time of peace.
* Similar letters were addressed to the Home Office, War Office, Treasury, Admiralty, and India Office.
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