Charles Francis Adams to John Russell, September 5, 1863

Legation Of The United States,   

London, September 5, 1863.

My Lord: At this moment, when one of the iron-clad vessels is on the point of departure from this kingdom, on its hostile errand against the United States, I am honored with the reply of your lordship to my notes of the 11th, 16th and 25th of July, and of the 14th of August. I trust 1 need not express bow profound is my regret at the conclusion to which her Majesty's government have arrived. I can regard it no otherwise than as practically opening to the insurgents free liberty in this kingdom to execute a policy described in one of their late publications in the following language:

“In the present state of the harbor defences of New York, Boston, Portland, and smaller northern cities, such a vessel as the Warrior would have little difficulty in entering any of these ports and inflicting a vital blow upon the enemy. The destruction of Boston alone would be worth a hundred victories in the field. It would bring such a terror to the 'blue-noses,' as to cause them to wish eagerly for peace, despite their overweening love of gain which has been so freely administered to since the opening of this war. Vessels of the Warrior class would promptly raise the blockade of our ports, and would even, in this respect, confer advantages which would soon repay the cost of their construction.”

It would be superfluous in me to point out to your lordship that this is war. No matter what may be the theory adopted of neutrality in a struggle, when this process is carried on in the manner indicated, from a territory and with the aid of the subjects of a third party, that third party to all intents and purposes ceases to be neutral. Neither is it necessary to show, that any- government which suffers it to be done fails in enforcing the essential conditions of international amity towards the country against whom the hostility is directed. In my belief it is impossible that any nation, retaining a proper degree of self-respect, could tamely submit to a continuance of relations so utterly deficient in reciprocity. I have no idea that Great Britain would do so for a moment.

After a careful examination of the full instructions with which I have been furnished, in preparation for such an emergency, I deem it inexpedient for me to attempt any recurrence to arguments for effective interposition in the present case[.]  Under these circumstances, I prefer to desist from communicating to your lordship even such further portions of my existing instructions as are suited to the case, lest I should contribute to aggravate difficulties already far too serious. I therefore content myself with informing your lordship that I transmit, by the present steamer, a copy of your note for the consideration of my government, and shall await the more specific directions that will be contained in the reply.

I seize this opportunity to pray permission of your lordship to correct a clerical error inadvertently made in my note of the 3d instant, in inserting the date of two notes of mine as having received the express approbation of my government. The intention was to specify only one, that of the 11th of July. The correction is not material, excepting as it conforms more strictly to the truth.

I pray your lordship to accept the assurances of the highest consideration with which I have the honor to be, my lord, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.

Right Honorable Earl Russell, &c., &c., &c.

SOURCE: Message of the President of the United States and Accompanying Documents, to both Houses of Congress at the Commencement of the First Session of the 38th Congress, Part 1: Papers Relating to the Foreign Affairs, p. 418-9

Foreign News

(CONCLUDED.)

The smith laborers in Liverpool were making demonstrations but had been promptly dispersed by the police.

The Opinion Nationale says that a reactive movement is being reorganized at Trieste.  They will embark simultaneously at several points on the Neapolitan territory.

Treiste, Feb. 27. – The garrison of Tripoly is following the example of the garrison at Nappa and revolted.

Aloina and Aurom are preparing to return to Greece.

The number of insurgents will soon be considerably increased.

The insurrection is considered important as it might influence an alarming state of things in Turkey.

The iron-plated frigate, Warrior has arrived at Plymouth and it is reported that there is no leakage as first reported.

London, Feb. 28. – The Paris correspondent of the times says that the excitement consequent upon Prince Napoleon’s speech is increasing.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

The Rebel Steamers Lately Engaged Near Fortress Monroe

(From the New York Tribune)

THE MERRIMAC.

The Merrimac was originally one of the five war steamers authorized to be constructed by congress during the session of 1844-5.  They were to be first steam sloops of war, and were built as follows.  The Merrimac at Charlestown; Wasbash, Com. Dupont’s flag ship, which did such good service at Port Royal, at Philadelphia; the Minnesota at Washington; the Roanoke at Norfolk, and the Niagara at Brooklyn. – The Minnesota and the Roanoke were lying in Hampton Roads.  These five vessels were equal to any steam war vessels in the world, except iron clad vessels.  The spar deck of the Merrimac was 281 feet long and 52 feet broad in her original condition and she drew 23 feet of water.  She rated about 4,000 tons burden.  Her frame was of [live] oak, filled in solid, and caulked 14 feet out from the kelson.  Forward the ship had 10 live oak breast hooks, fastened through and through with copper under the water and iron above; aft she had seven breast hooks.

The engine was of 800 horse power, with a 2 bladed propeller 14 feet in diameter, so fitted as to be raised to the deck and lowered to its beaming at pleasure, enabling the vessel to be used with our without steam power.  She rated as a 40 gun frigate, but could carry as much as a 90 gun ship of the old style. – She carried 24 9 inch shell guns, with 2 pivot guns of 8 tons, each throwing 100 pound shells, mounted fore and aft.

The Merrimac was the first of the five to be completed, being launched in 1856.  She was soon after put in commission, and continued in the service until April 1861, when she was lying at the Norfolk Navy Yard, in need of some slight repairs.  But for the imbecility of those in charge, she might have been removed before the rebellion actually broke out in Norfolk.  Under the management of Com. Macauley, however, she and the ship of the line Pennsylvania where scuttled and sunk, while at the same time the Navy Yard and its 2,500 cannon were abandoned to the rebels.

Since then the Merrimac has been raised, placed upon the dry dock, and covered with an entire slanting roof or railroad iron.  This additional weight nearly broke her down upon the dry dock, and they found almost as much difficulty in launching her as was found in launching the Great Eastern.  Owing to a mistake in calculation, on being launched she was found to sink four feet deeper than before, so as to take in water.  So she was again taken out, being hogged in the operation and otherwise so strained that the Southern newspapers pronounced her a failure, and it is more than probably that with no opposition she would never dare to go to sea.  She is probably a very good moveable floating battery.  Above the water’s edge she is said to present nothing but her roof of railroad iron, with a smoke stack rising a few feet above it.  From the accounts which we have of the fight, her rate of speed is very moderate.  She mounted 10 100-pound Armstrong guns, which are reported to have mashed through iron mail as thick as that of the Warrior and Black Prince, but which do not appear to have made any impression on the Monitor.

THE YORKTOWN, OR THE PATRICK HENRY

The Yorktown, called by the rebels the Patrick Henry, is a steamer of 1,400 tons, which was built by Wm H. Webb for the line between New York and Richmond, in 1859.  She has two decks and is built of oak, with copper and iron fastenings.  She has two marine beam engines, of 350 horse power, and four water-tight compartments.  Her dimensions are, length 251 feet, breadth 34 feet, depth 18 feet.  She is described by a reporter who went up on the Express, under a flag of truce, on Thursday last, as mounting six rifled guns, one of which is an Armstrong gun, and is being much more formidable than her consort, the Jamestown.

THE JAMESTOWN

The Jamestown was formerly the consort of the Yorktown in the Richmond line.  She was built in 1852 by J. A. Westervelt, and her dimensions are slightly smaller than those of the Yorktown.  She draws but eight feet of water three feet less than the Yorktown.  She has a vertical beam engine, of 260 horse power.  The same reporter saw her also last Thursday, and says that she was worked with double engines, and had a sharp iron prow at her bow projecting some three feet at the water line, intended to run down wooden vessels, and that she carries 2 23 pound rifled cannon, Parrot style, fore and aft, the guns being furnished with telescopic sights.  The vessel looked trim, and the officers wore a profusion of gold lace, while the marines and sailors were smart and active in appearance.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

Iron-clad Ships

In The vigor which will be given to the mail clothing business for the navy, by the Merrimacing among our vessels and fortified posts, and by the reported, but probably overdrawn victory of Ericsson’s Monitor, with the additional stimulus of the fifteen millions which congress has appropriated for that purpose, it is to be hoped that the Navy department will not too hastily adopt the Ericsson round tower plan for all its harbor or sea-going war vessels.

The essential quality of this tower is its invulnerability, and the only advantage we can see in it is in the lighter draft which may be secured by reducing the position which is raised above the water high enough for the guns, too small a section.  In this quality they furnish a plan for invulnerable gunboats within the capacity of our rivers.  But this is obtained at the cost of space for the guns, and fighting men; and whatever may be the improvement, guns and men will continue to be essential; and, other things being equal, the most guns and fighting men will be likely to decide the contest.

If the whole gun-deck can be made invulnerable, that of course would be vastly better than a cramped tower and only two guns.  If the Monitor has done all that is reported, the Merrimac also was a success, and it may be that she has approached nearer the true plan.  She is cut down to near the water, and a slanting iron roof built over her.  A fraction of the thickness of iron required to directly resist a shot, will make it glace off.  It is necessary that the armor should extend only about three feet below the surface.  It seem[s] possible that the vessels may be built curving outwardly from about that line to one a few feet above the surface, and then slanting inwardly to a sufficient height for a flat spar-deck over the gun-deck, so that a much lighter armor than used for the Warrior and other British and French men-of-war will turn shot at any angle at which they can possibly strike it.

This form of the hull, would greatly increase the buoyance of the ship in a seaway, and in that respect might nearly compensate for the increased width near the surface.  A light armor would protect the upper deck, and probably that of the sides could be reduced so as to obviate the objections the British and French mail-clad vessels have found.  These vessels are so heavily loaded by their armor as seriously to affect their seagoing qualities; the sea water percolates between the iron plates and must soon rust of the bolts, and the weight, which furnishes no compensating support to the vessel, strains it in a seaway.  In her recent passage to Lisbon the Warrior experienced two of these difficulties.

It seems to be thought by some that if the guns are large enough, one or two will answer; but if both sides have as large, the number of them will become as important as before.  The chances are greater for missing the mark than for hitting it, and the greater number of guns, the greater chance for making a hit.  There is nothing in the armor or armament of vessels to make the number of guns any less important now than it ever was.  Besides the importance of a great armament and crew, and plenty of fighting space, our mail-clad men-of-war must be great rams, prepared to take a tilt with their sharp beaks.  For this purpose size and weight are essential. – {Cin. Gazette.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 2

Iron-clad Gunboats

No arm of the national service has done such good work and brought about so successful results since the war commenced as the iron clad gunboats.  And the only objection which can be found to the recent appropriation of ten millions of dollars by Congress for the purpose of increasing our navy in this direction is, it is too small.  These boats are not hereafter to be viewed in the light of an experiment.  They have been tried, and the trial has been more than satisfactory.  And what is not a little singular, while England has made such an ado over her iron-clad ships, we have put iron plated vessels to the test of an actual fight before her.  It is not to be wondered that the rebels of Kentucky and Tennessee dread Commodore Foote’s little fleet, for the power of offensive and defensive operations evinced by the gunboats, was something entirely new in the history of naval battles.  During the attack on Fort Henry a 128 pound ball struck the Cincinnati and although the vessel trembled from stem to stern, the plates turned the ball aside and it did no damage.  And the only balls which found their way into the boats were those which struck where there was no casing.

Our naval architects have always favored the plating of gunboats and small vessels rather than frigates, and as the event has proved with good reason.  The British frigate Warrior leaked badly on her trial trip and the French frigate La Gloire, which has already cost a mint of money had to be stripped of her armor for the same reason and some new arrangement of the plates to be tried.  But our gunboats are open to no such objections of this kind and seem destined to become the most important and popular branch of our naval service.  Several vessels of this class are now in process of construction and it is expected that in a few months we shall have on the ocean a fleet of twenty iron-clad, light draft gunboats, besides those on the western waters.  This will do very well for a beginning, but congress should see to it that we have more of them built immediately.  If we don’t need them to crush out the rebellion, we may want them to look after the allies in Mexico, and it would be well to have them ready.

Great expectations are also placed on the operations of the new mortar boats, which are yet to be tried.  They carry heavier guns than the gunboats, higher placed and more of them, and will, it is expected prove of much more value in attacking strong fortifications, and those considerably elevated above the water, like the defences of Columbus.  The mortars they carry will throw a 13-inch shell three miles, and at this distance the boats themselves would present no available mark for ordinary guns, so that they would be almost out of the reach of danger while themselves dealing out death and destruction.  There are two mortar fleets already constructed – one on the western waters, which seems likely to be tried soon at Columbus, and the other under the command of Com. Porter, which has gone round to Ship Island.  New Orleans may receive a visual from both of these fleets soon, and if she is wise she will not withstand their battering powers.  If, after trial, these boats prove useful as the iron-clad gunboats, the rebels have nowhere any fortifications that can stand against them and it would be fool hardiness to attempt resistance when their guns are brought to bear.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Me., Feb. 20. – The Bohemian from Liverpool 6^th, via Londonderry 7^th, arrived here this morning with one day latter news.

The Canada from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5^th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously on an address to the queen in response to speech.

The Opposition approved the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought that the Federal Government had assented with a very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts of England, from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rate of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the last cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded, and in 9 cases out of 10, she would not mind her helm.

The Times’ city article says that the funds opened on the 6^th inst., at the decline of more than ½, but were firmer towards the close.

PARIS, [Feb.] 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says that Gen. Prime will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each General will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat Tuscarora left Cowes at 9 o’clock a. m. on the 6^th inst., and proceeded westward.  The Nashville had 40 hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out, that it was agreed by all on board that she should never be captured.  That he had all the valves of the engines so arranged that she could be blown up in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foo Choo as higher.  Silks were also higher. – Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

(By Telegraph to Londonderry.)

Liverpool Cotton Market – Brokers’ circulars report sales of the week 28,000 bales, including 3,500 to speculators and exporters.  Market dull, with partial decline of ½.  Sales Friday 5,000 bales, including 5,000 to speculators and exporters, market closing quiet and unchanged.  On Saturday Orleans fair 14¼, do middling 12 7/8; Mobile fair 13½ do middling 12½.  Total stock in port 550,000 bales, including 205,000 American.

Breadstuffs market generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.

Consols closed at 92½@92 7/8 for money.

The weekly returns of the Bank of England shows a decrease in bullion of 334,000£.

American securities quiet and steady.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Additional Foreign News

The unemployed laborers in Liverpool were making demonstrations, but had been peaceably dispersed by the police.

The Opinione Nationale says that a re-actionary movement is being prepared in Southern Italy for next spring.  Re-actionary bands are now being organized at Trieste, Malta and Rome.  They will disembark simultaneously at several points on the Neapolitan territory.

TRIESTE, Feb. 27. – The Garrison at Tripolitz, following the example of the garrison at Nauppa, has revolted.  It is believed that the insurrectionists at Nauppa will hold out.

Many Greeks now staying at Geneva, Leghorn and Ancona, are preparing to turn to Greece.  The number of insurgents will soon be considerably increased.  The insurrection is considered important, as it might influence a new state of things in Turkey.

The iron frigate Warrior has arrived at Plymouth.  It is reported that she steers well, and has no leakage.

The Herald asserts that Sir Robert Peel and Hon. Wm. Cowper were about exchanging offices.

LONDON, Feb. 28. – The Paris correspondent of the Times says that the excitement consequent upon [Prince] Napoleon’s speech is increasing.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

Foreign News

PORTLAND, March 4.

The steamer Norwegian, from Liverpool on the 20^th, Londonderry 21^st ult. arrived this morning.

The political news possess no particular interest.

Sales of cotton for the four days were 11,000 bales.

Markets closing firmer.

Breadstuffs dull.  Provisions steady.

The Anglo Saxon from Portland arrived at Liverpool on the 20^th.

GREAT BRITAIN. – Parliamentary proceedings, on the 11^th were unimportant.  The bill authorizing marriage with a deceased wife’s sister was passed to a second reading in the Commons, 149 to 133.

The Morning Post has an editorial urging the removal of the prohibition in the West Indies against the efforts for obtaining colored laborers from any part of North America, and advocates the emigration of free negroes from Canada to the west Indies, to develop the cotton culture of those Islands.

It is asserted that the government has said there was confirmation of the news via America, that the Spaniards had sustained a declined defeat at the hands of the Mexicans, and that the dispatch of reinforcements is rendered necessary.

FRANCE. – It is rumored that the Prince Napoleon is dissatisfied with the terms of the address on the Roman question, and will move an amendment for more energetic language.

The bourse continued to be heavy, and on the 19^th the three per cent. rents further declined nearly half per cent., closing at 69.95.  The four and a half per cent. declined one per cent., closing at 99f.

A decree is published, admitting into France, free of duty, rough and purified cast iron, old iron bars, hoops and sheet iron, steel in bars and sheets, and rolled copper, when coming from abroad and destined for re-exportation, after having been converted in French workshops into ships, machines or any other work in metal.

One other decree reduces the interest on treasury bonds to two and a half a three and a half per cent., according to the time of the falling due.

The Moniteur says the government of the Emperor has requested information at Rome respecting the pastoral letter convoking all bishops to Rome for the canonization of the martyrs, the letter having been published in France without having been previously communicated to the government.  Cardinal Antonelli replied that the invitation was simply a friendly one and not obligatory in character – only tended to give weight to the religious ceremony on this reply the French government expressed the wish that the Bishops should not leave their diocese, and must not ask permission to quit the empire except where serious diocesan interests should call them to Rome.

The application for conversation of the 4 1-2 per cent. rentes had reached £70,000,000.

LONDON MONEY MARKET. – English funds dull but steady on the 20^th.

LIVERPOOL, 21. – It is reported that insurances are daily effected on ships and their cargoes to run the blockade of the Southern ports.  The highest premium paid is fifteen guineas, and the ships are entitled to select any port.  In some instances the risks to ports of easy access are as low as ten guineas.  The vessels insured are steamers of 1,500 tons.

The French Bourse is believed to be undergoing an improvement, owing to the receipt of gold from London.

The telegraph from the Red Sea to London is now open.

The iron plated frigate Warrior is ordered from Gibraltar to Portsmouth.

Advices from Manchester report goods and yarns upward, but quiet.

The Journal Espania demands a monarchy for Peru by universal suffrage.

ROME. 20^th. – The Police have made many arrests.

The proclamation of the national committee has been secretly posted here.  The committee hope for early success, but counsel patience.

It is believed that Napoleon has given assurance to the Pope that the French troops will not leave Rome.

Preparations were making to celebrate the anniversary of the Capture of Gaeta.  Numerous patrols traversed the streets to prevent its taking place.

BERLIN, 20^th. – The question between Prussia and Austria is continually widening.  The language of the Prussian and Austrian papers is daily more hostile.

The agitation in Germany is increasing.

Austria, by her recent conduct, had lost much of her influence in northern Germany.

PARIS, 21^st. – The Temps and other French journals demonstrate that a monarchical restoration in North America will only benefit Spain, and the Spanish monarchical interest alone existing.

It is believed that the speech of Prince Napoleon on the address of the Senate will express the real policy of the Emperor on the Italian question.

The following is a summary of the news taken out by the City of New York: The Tuscarora left Gibraltar on the 15^th inst. for the Spanish waters.  She had been watching the Sumter, which still remained at Gibraltar unable to procure coal.

In the House of Commons on the 17^th inst., the supplementary estimates for the naval and military expeditions in the Trent affair, amounting to over £973,000, were moved and unanimously agreed to.  In the debate on the subject, Mr. Bright severely denounced the policy of the government.  He said the money had been worse than thrown away.  The threatening menaces were quite uncalled for, and gave Earl Russell’s first dispatch, which he said had more the appearance of a declaration of war than a courteous demand for a just object which America could not fail to accede to.  He refuted the idea that the American Government was influenced by a mob, and argued that the interests of England were so bound up with America that it was in every respect inadvisable to inflict a sting that it might take centuries to remove.

Mr. Baxter endorsed the tone of the government, but condemned the tone of the press.

Orders had been received at Sheerness to dismantle all gunboats prepared for commissions under the American difficulty.

The Daily News and Star publish the correspondence with Mr. Seward relative to the passage of British troops through the State of Maine.  The latter accords great praise to Mr. Seward for his course in this respect.

The reading of the address to the Emperor of France had taken place in the Senate, and debate commenced upon it on the 20^th.  The address regrets the sufferings inflicted by the American civil war on trade and manufactures, but agrees with the Emperor that the friendly relations of the countries render neutrality incumbent, and believes that the quarrel will be all the shorter if not complicated by foreign influence.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

Later from Europe

PORTLAND, Feb. 20.

The Bohemian, from Liverpool 6th via Londonderry 7th, arrived here this morning, with one day later news.

The Canada, from Boston, arrived at Liverpool on the 5th inst.

Both houses of Parliament had voted unanimously an address to the Queen in response to her speech.  The opposition approved of the course of the Government in the Trent affair.

Lord Derby thought the Federal Government had assented with very bad grace to the demands of the British Government.

Lord Palmerston said the distress in the manufacturing districts in England from the blockade of the Southern ports, would not justify the interference of the Government, and that they would continue in their neutral course.

The Bank of France has reduced its rates of discount to 4 per cent.

The product of the cotton crop of India was pouring into Bombay.

The iron clad frigate, Warrior, on her passage to Lisbon, labored badly.  Her decks and cabins were flooded and in nine cases out of ten she would not mind her helm.

The London Times city article says, that the funds opened on the 6th, at a decline of more than one-eighth, but gained firmness toward the close.

PARIS, 7. – The Moniteur of this morning says, that Gen. Prim will not take supreme command of the allied forces in Mexico, but that each Gen. will preserve the integrity of his own command.

The Federal gunboat, Tuscarora, left Cowes about 9 o’clock on the morning of the 6th inst., and proceeded Westward.

The Nashville had forty hours start of her.  The engineer of the Nashville told the pilot who took her out that it was agreed by all on board, that she should never be captured; that she had all the valves of the engine arranged so that she could be blown up sky high in a moment, and that if the capture of the Nashville was ever heard of, a violent explosion would accompany it.

Private telegrams from China quote tea at Foochou as higher.  Silks were also higher.  Holders of manufactured goods held them at firm prices.

Singapore was in possession of the rebels.

Advices from Manila say that all tobacco there is to be sent to Spain.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 7. – Breadstuffs generally quiet and steady, except for corn, which has a downward tendency.  Consols closed at 92 1-4 a 92 7-8.  The weekly returns of the Bank of England show a decrease in the bullion of £334,000.  American securities quiet and stead.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 21, 1862, p. 1

A Mere Trifle

Capt. Rodman, having successfully cast a 20-inch gun, and the test showing it to be safe and strong as a smaller cannon, is now at work on a pocket-piece for the President, the ball of which is to weigh 3,000 pounds, to have a range of six or seven miles, of two feet and a half diameter, while the gun itself will weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 tons. It is supposed, if the Warrior, or any other English ship, should be struck by one of the balls from this little joker, it would be difficult for the future historian to tell the precise spot where the English vessel was last seen or at precisely what instant she disappeared from mortal view. Capt. Rodman is now finishing six 15-inch toys for the new Monitors, three or four 20-inch playthings, beside Old Abe’s pocket piece, the 30-inch joker. The story that a guard is set over this gun every night to keep it from being picked up and carried off by some thief, is pronounced a canard.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

Arrival of the Steamer City of New York

NEW YORK, April 22.

The steamer City of New York, with four days later European news, has arrived.

LIVERPOOL, 9th. – Breadstuffs dull but steady.

The Sumter was still at Gibraltar and the Tuscarora at Algiers.

On the 3d the sloop of war Karsage [sic], after a two day’s visit to Gibraltar, left for the west.

In parliament D’Israeli made an attack on Gladstone’s financial policy in the Budget. The latter spoke strongly in defiance. A general debate ensued, in the course of which Bentwick attributed the distress of the country to its incompetent and inhuman policy in refusing to recognize the Confederate States.

The question of shielded ships and floating batteries continues to occupy the attention of the government.

The shipwrights have all been transferred from the wooden to iron vessels in course of construction.

A proposition was before the common council of London to confer the freedom of the city in a gold box to Mr. Peabody, for his [tounificence].

The crops of England and France are reported as most favorable. French manufacturing accounts also show more animation.

Latest rumors assert that Gen. Guion will not be recalled from Rome.

The Paris Bourse was flat 69{90c.

The Italian ministry had ordered an increase in iron-plated ships.

The question of brigandage and the removal of the ex-King of Maples from Rome was debated in the Italian chamber.

Roltazzi said the Italian government persisted in pointing out that the presence of Francis II at Rome is the source of disorders, and he believed Napoleon also shares the conviction and perceives the necessity from providing against its continuance, but difficulties can’t all be vanquished at a single blow.

The Spanish government had again reiterated its firm determination to abstain from any demonstration prejudicial to the independence of Mexico.

The Danish Regziaad voted an extraordinary credit of one million rix dollars for iron-plated vessels.


SANDY HOOK, April 22.

The New iron steamer Oviet, built for war purposes, left Liverpool for Palermo. It is believed she goes to Bermuda for armament, and takes the Atlantic as a southern privateer.

The schooner Sophia ran the Charleston blockade and arrived at Liverpool with 900 bales of cotton.

Politics unimportant.

Manchester market firmer, tending upward. Breadstuffs steady and unchanged. Provisions upward.


QUEENSTOWN, April 10.

Government has contracted for an iron cupola ship under Capt. Coles’ invention, to be ready for sea June 1st, 1863.

Experiments with a gun of large sized showed the best and hitherto considered invulnerable forms of iron sides, were so to speak, almost as easily penetrable by a shot as if targets had been timber.

Sir Wm. Armstrong says that a gun of 12 tons weight fired with a charge of 50 pounds of powder will break through the sides of the Warrior or the strongest ship afloat. A target like the Warrior’s side was shattered into crumbs at a trial. The Times says a weapon of offense or defense it seems none is left us now so effective as large armor clad and very swift rams.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 1

Mr. Gregory, the rebel advocate . . .

. . . admitted in a recent debate in the British House of Commons, on mail-clad vessels that if the Warrior and met the Merrimac, it was a matter of grave doubt whether the angular sided vessel would not overcome her vertical sided antagonist; but that if the Warrior and Monitor had met, there is little doubt that the smaller vessel would have plunged her shot into the unprotected parts of the Warrior, and would, in fact have overcome the pride of the British navy.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2