OUTRAGE UPON A BRITISH SUBJECT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 178, 10 June 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

OUTRAGE UPON A BRITISH SUBJECT.

Mr. R.’R. Belshaw, who has just returned to this country from the Southern States, has written a letter to Earl Russell, claiming damages for outrages inflicted upen him while there. In this letter he states that he went to New York in 1852, and in 1859 removed to Montgomery, Alabama, to settle the estate of a deceased brother. Pending the settlement, which was tedious, he went into business on his own account. At New York and in Montgomery he had always remained faithful to his allegiance, and at Montgomery the fact of his being a British subject was generally known. In February last, however, ho was arrested as a conscript in his own house by de facto Government, removed to the guard-house, and after a detention of three days and nights released. He was, however, again arrested, notwithstanding the production of the consular certificate of nationality and compliance with the requirements of the Secretary of State, taken from his residence, hurried off to Camp Watts, in Alabama, and from thence to Bragg’s army in Tallahoma, where several other British subjects were sent at the same time —“ under guard in chains, heavy iron collars riveted on their necks.” Mr. Belshaw’s story after this we give in his own words—

On our arrival at Tallahoma we were all put into the guard-house, an abominable filthy den. After being there nearly a week a Confederate officer came in one day to know if we would volunteer. Under the circumstances we declined to embrace the opportunity of fighting for his country. In this way lie called several times to know if we thought any better of it, until at last, finding the inducements were not sufficiently strong, he came one day and took us to the provost marshall’s office. While there he tried to coerce us into taking the oath of allegiance to his Government, amid the jeers and taunts of a crowd of commissioned officers, whose hatred of England was only equalled by their affected ignorance of her power. Our party, consisting of Danish, German, and British subjects, all refused to renounce our allegiance. We were then put into the camp of the Ist Louisana. On refusing to do duty the next day (in obedience to the Queen’s proclamation), I underwent the punishment known as “ buckin'”” in front of General Bragg’s head quarters, and also the others, after which we were turned into the guard-house. On our refusal again, some days afterwards, the “bucking” was repeated, with the addition of water being thrown over some of us. Still continuing to refuse, 1 was subsequently tied up by the thumbs Imlf-an-hour to (he raft wards of the guard-house along with another British subject named Kelly, a graduate of the King’s College, Galway. I saw him afterwards undergo the punishment called by those who practice it, “ spreadeagle,” a kind of crucifixion. On another occasion I saw him held head-downwards in a tank of water three times until almost drowned. The punishment of slaves has been inflicted upon us with a full knowledge of our nationality, in broad daylight, aud within a few yards of General Bragg’s head-quarters, in the'presence of at least fifty or a hundred spectators. For refinement of cruelty and democratic insolence generally, Colonel Strawbridge and his crcole-commis.-i med officers of the Ist Louisana stand unrivalled. The de facto Government have now assumed the responsibility by a decision of their highest court at Mobile, declaring mo liable to Military service. This trial cost me $4,000, to which must be added $3,000 for substitute, which was only good for a short time, as I was afterwards notified by the authorities for six mouths’ service in North Alabama. Seeing there was no end to the imposition and outrage, and at the expense of $3,000 more I am so far home out of the Southern Confederacy. Having been unable to close my estate I have left my sister in charge of it, and to her'- exertions on ray behalf more than to the money actually expended X am indebted for my deliverance from captivity. Some de facto compensation can surely be had for a scries of very gross outrages committed by the de facto Government. With this brief statement of facts, as a British subject I now respectfully call upon your lordship for such indemnification as the Government may think proper to demand for three month’s continuous outrage and imminent risk of life, together with the loss of SIO,OOO, besides the damage done to my business by an enforced absence from it. I have, &c., R. R. BELSHAW. P.S.—My Lord, —I enclose the official report of the trial (taken from the record by the Clerk,) with the Seal of the Court to which my case was referred by the de facto Government. It being their highest Court there was no appeal. The question, as your lordship will perceive, was not one in reference to the series of gross outrages