FRIZES CAPTURED BY THE FEDERAL OR CONFEDERATE CRUISERS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 15 September 1864, Page 3

FRIZES CAPT URED BY THE FEDERAL OR CONFEDERATE CRUISERS.

Tte following instructions have been sent by her Majesty's Government to Governors of Colonies respecting the treatment of prizes captured by Federal or Confederate cruisers, if brought into British waters : — Downing-street, June 2, 186-1. Sir. — T think it well to communicate to you the ' decisions at which her Mnjcsty's Government | have arrived on certain questions which have arisen respecting the treatment of prizes captured by Federal or Confederate cruisers, if brought into British waters. 1 . If any prize captured by a ship of war of either of the belligerent Power.? shall be brought by the captors within her Majesty's jurisdiction, j notice, shall be given by the Governor to the j captors immediately to depart and remove such prize. 2. A vessel which shall have been actually and qonafids converted into, and used as a pubiie vessel of war, shall not be deemed to be a prize j witliin the meaning of these aules. 3. If anp prize shall be brought within her Majesty's jurisdiction through mere stress of weather or other extreme and unavoidable necessity, the Governor may allow for her removal such time as he may consider to bo nesessary. 4. If any prize shall not be removed Ft the time pre scribed to the captors by the Governor, the Governor may detain such prize until her Majesty's pleasure shall be made known. 5. If any prize shall have been captured by any violation of the territory or territorial waters of her Majesty, the Governor may detain such prize until her Majesty's pleasure shall be made known. Her Majesty's Oovernment have not thought it necessary to make any addition to the instructions already given with respect to cargoes — viz., that her Majesty's orders apply as much to prize cargoes of every kind which may be brought by any armed ships or privateers of either belligerent into British waters as to the coptured vessels themselves. They do not, however, apply to any articles which may have formed part of any such cargoes if brought within British^jurisdiction, not by ai-med ships or privoteers of eithe belligerent, but by other persons who may have acquired or may claim property Jin a them, by reason of any dealings with the captors. These rules are for the guaidanco of the executive authority, and are not intended to inter fere in away with .the process of any court o" justice. I have, &c, (Signed) Edwaed Cakdweli.