The Daily Dispatch: March 7, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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British aid for the rebels.
Fifty vessels new building in England on Confederate account.

The London Daily News publishes a letter addressed to Lord Palmerston on the subject of British aid to the Confederates, from which we glean some interesting facts. The writer commences by condemning the course of Lord John Russell in practically negativing, by his management of the Foreign Office, the professed policy of neutrality, citing the official correspondence in the case of the "290" as affording conclusive evidence of the "sheer hypocrisy" of the non-intervention pretence.--All the facts in this case, and in that of the Florida, the writer contends, exhibit "connivance" with the rebels. He then proceeds to show that the same course is still pursued by the authorities, in permitting the construction of other vessels, ostensibly for the Emperor of China, but really for the Confederates.--We quote:

‘ On the premises belonging to the Messrs. Laird, at Birkenhead, in a covered shed or "annexe" to the main yard, two powerful war steamers are in course of construction for the "Emperor of China." Their burden is about 2,200 tons. They are of the ram class, parting iron-plated, and measure any 200 feet long by 36 beam and 18 feet deep. Their engines, now nearly ready, are ranked nominally at 300 horse power, but each will work up to a thousand, which will give them a very high rate of speed.

In the main yard of the same premises another steam ram is building, also "for the Emperor of China." He's length is about 150 feet, by twenty-eight feet beam, and depth from sixteen to eighteen feet. She is to be partially iron-plated, like the two others in the annexe, and the three are expected to be ready for sea in two months from the present time, perhaps sooner. Capt. Bullock, who commanded the "290," is daily in attendance superintending their progress. Does this gentleman hold his commission from his Celestial Majesty or from Jefferson Davis?

In the yard of Messrs W. C. Miller & Son, Liverpool, there is nearly completed a wooden screw propeller vessel, of about 450 to 500 tons. She has been constructed upon the plan of the American coasters, being nearly flat-bottomed. She is built for fast sailing under canvas, and under steam is expected to run fifteen knots an hour. She is to be armed with nine pounder guns, and is expected to be ready for sea in the course of four weeks. It is commonly reported that she belonged to the Confederates.

Messrs. Lawrence & Son's yard is the highest up the Mersey. A large screw steamer is building there "for the Emperor of China."

Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co., of Liverpool, the "depositaries," as they are styled, of the Confederate Government, have contracted for a large vessel of 3,000 tons, which is to be built at Stockton.

Messrs. Thompson Brothers are building on the Clyde a powerful iron-clad steam ram "for the Emperor of China," to be ready for sea on the 9th of April next. She is about 250 feet long, by 45 beams, and 35 in depth.--Her armor plates are from 4½ to 5 inches thick. Her engines will be of 500 horse power each.

Mr. Peter Denny, of Dumbarton, has constructed two fine screw steamers. They are lying in the Clyde. Report of a somewhat authentic kind says one of them is partly owned by "the Chinese," and partly by individuals at Nassau, New Providence. It is publicly announced that she is soon to be employed between Nassau and Charleston. The term "Chinese" is in general use in the building yards of the Clyde and the Mersey to designate the Confederates, and the "Emperor of China" has no other signification in this connection than to personify Jefferson Davis.

The Messrs Scott, of Greenock, are completing a very fine iron screw steamer, which is alleged to be intended for the trade between Charleston and Savannah.

Two weeks ago a fine vessel, of the same class as the Virginia, was launched from Messrs. Blackwood's yard at Port Glasgow, and common report says she is intended for the Chinese.

Upwards of fifty steam vessels, of various descriptions, in different stages of completeness, might be enumerated in this "Chinese"category. The 7th section of the 59th George III., chapter 69, prohibits, under a penalty of fine and imprisonment, with forfeiture of the property, the equipment, furnishing, fitting out or arming of any vessel, to be employed in the service of any foreign prince, state or potentate, with intent to commit hostilities against the subjects or citizens of any prince or State "with whom His Majesty shall not then be at war." Do not the facts herein submitted, my lord, warrant an immediate and a searching investigation into the nature of these transactions for the "Chinese?"

’ The writer then proceeds to show that powerful combinations in aid of the rebellion now exist in England; that large sums of money have been subscribed by the monetary, shipping, and mercantile interests in aid of these associations; that lists have been exhibited by Confederate agents containing the names of Manchester men of high standing who have thus subscribed; that an accredited agent of the rebels, now in the country, has negotiated a loan for the supply to them of all kinds of supplies, and secured a contract from houses in London, the conditions of which are as follows:

‘ "Parties undertaking to run the blockade with vessels laden with materials and munitions of war are guaranteed cargoes of cotton in exchange, at 7 cents a pound, for the value (greatly exaggerated) of the ship and cargo. They also receive Confederate bonds to cover the amount. These vessels, chiefly steamers of light draught, are insured at high risk premiums — say forty, fifty, sixty--at Lloyd's. If they run the blockade out and home, the enormous profits on the sale of cotton are an ample remuneration for the venture, and the bonds are cancelled. If they are captured, the bonds, a high rate of interest, are retained as security. The option is given to the owners of selling their ships to the Confederate Government--such of them as reach their destination and do not care to risk a return voyage — and they go to form the nucleus of a navy. Thus British capital, and it alone, furnishes the Confederacy with the means of carrying on the war."

’ The writer concludes his letter as follows:

‘ "The proofs exist, my Lord, that this contraband traffic in arms and munitions of war is openly carried on by the aid of British capital, under the British flag, by British seamen, and in British vessels, to sustain a confederacy and a rebellion of slaveholders, which without such aid, could not maintain itself. It is carried on to blockaded ports recognized as such by the British Government, and is, therefore, a violation of the Queen's proclamation, of 59th George III, and of international law. Such transactions lower the character of the British merchant, dishonor the nation, engender unfriendly feelings between the American and the British people, and jeopardize the amicable relations of their respective Governments. The Administration cannot learn these facts and remain quiescent. It must either act or lie under the charge of willfully abetting the violation of that neutrality the strict observance of which has been so strongly enjoined upon all the Queen's subjects."

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