THE STEAMER R. R. CUYLER-CONSPIRACY ON BOARD TO ASSUME CONTROL OF THE VESSEL AT SEA-THE OWNERS NOT CULPABLE-THE VESSEL TO BE BONDED.

NEW YORK, February 15.

The suspicion that the steamship R. R. Cuyler was intended for a piratical enterprise appears, from facts which have come to light since the seizure by the government, to have been well founded. The theory advanced, which there is no grounds for doubting, is, that there was a conspiracy on board to assume control of the vessel after she had gone to sea, and thus deprive the lawful owners of their property, who were not to receive their pay for her until she was delivered at Laguayra, Venezuela, to the Colombian government. Whatever may have been intended by the extraordinary personages on board, and however they may have intended to execute their plans, are matters no longer to be regarded with alarm, as the party has been dispersed, and the owners required to file bonds in twice the value of the vessel that she shall not be used by them to commit hostilities against any nation with which this government is at peace. This is sufficiently set forth in the following letter, received by Collector Smythe from the Secretary of the Treasury yesterday:

ORDER TO THE COLLECTOR.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February, 1867.

SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of the letter of this date from the Attorney General of the United States at New York to the United States district attorney at New York, relative to the steamship R. R. Cuyler. You are hereby instructed to carry out the decision of the President, to release the R. R. Cuyler to the owners, upon being advised in writing by the United States district attorney that the required bond has been given and the proceedings in court dismissed.

Very respectfully,

H. A. SMYTHE,

Collector of Cristoms, New York.

H. MCCULLOCH,

Secretary of the Treasury.

The following is a copy of the letter of the Attorney General:

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LETTER.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, February 13, 1867.

In re steamship "R. R. Cuyler.”

SIR: The President has had under his consideration the case of the steamship R. R. Cuyler, now detained at the port of New York under a seizure made by the customs officers, and a libel filed by you on or about the 5th of the current month, for alleged infraction of our neutrality laws.

The decision of the President had thereon is that such circumstances are shown as to require bond and security to be given by the owners, Messrs. Sturges, Taylor, Hubbell & Dollard, according to the provisions of the 10th and 11th sections of the act of April 20, 1818, entitled, "An act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and to repeal the acts therein ñamed."-3d vol. Statutes at Large, p. 447.

You are accordingly instructed that, upon the entering and delivery to you of such bond to the United States, with sufficient sureties, prior to the clearing of the vessel, in double the amount or the value of the vessel and cargo on board, including her armament, conditioned that the vessel shall not be employed by such owners to cruise or commit hostilities against the subjects, citizens, or property of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people with whom the United States are at peace, as provided by the said 10th section, you will dismiss the proceedings so instituted. Instructions will be sent to the collector of the port by the Secretary of the Treasury for the release of the vessel to her owners, when you advise them that the bond has been given and the proceedings in court have been dismissed.

I am, very respectfully, &c.,

SAMUEL G. COURTNEY, Esq.,

U. S. District Attorney, New York City.

HENRY STANBERY,
Attorney General.

CASE OF THE R. R. CUYLER-ALLEGED CONSPIRACY OF AN EX-REBEL CAPTAIN AND CREW TO TURN THE VESSEL INTO A CHILIAN PRIVATEER-BONDS REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

[From the New York Post.]

The steamship R. R. Cuyler, seized some time ago by the customs authorities of this port, and held for examination on a charge that she was destined for an illegal voyage, is still in the hands of the officers, but the former owners and claimants of the vessel are confident she will soon be released. The theory that there was a conspiracy on board to take her from the owners, who were not, it is declared, to get their pay for her, or all of it, till she should be delivered at Laguayra, Venezuela, to the Colombian government, is now, it appears, fully accepted, and it goes into the case as part of the matter which the Attorney General will consider when he decides whether the R. R. Cuyler ought to be held to await the action of the courts with a view to her condemnation if the charges should be sustained.

This theory is founded on information already partially given to the public. The evidence that the vessel was to become a Chilian privateer, or have some other illegal character, is considered complete; and her owners do not hesitate to admit that they would probably have lost her, except for the interference of the United States authorities. This avowal raises many interesting points about the fitting out of the Cuyler, which will be fully investigated if an examination is entered upon, but which otherwise may never be brought out.

What is now recognized as the important fact of the case is that the conspiracy was fully matured, and was to be executed by ex-rebels, who comprised the passengers of the vessel. It appears that the getting together of these men and the equipment of them, with the purchase of some war material, costing more than $100,000, were the parts of the business about which the owners had no direct knowledge; and Read, the rebel officer who had charge of the numerous "passengers," only a part of whom it seems were on board the Cuyler at the wharf when she was ready to sail at the time of the seizure, was at the head of the piratical expedition. Exactly what was to be done with the Cuyler after she had left this port and was in the hands of the desperadoes who had been gathered to take possession of her, the representatives of the men whose interests were involved do not undertake to say.

These things in some respects explain, and in other respects complicate and mystify, the affair of the Cuyler. What influence they may have on the determination of the matter is a curious question. That the vessel, if she had been allowed to go, would have made a legal voyage, nobody asserts; nor is it likely that the government officers will urge that the American owners were guilty of complicity with the rebels, or with the persons, whoever they may have been, who furnished the means required at the beginning of the suspicious undertaking.

In a later edition the Post says:

"Collector Smythe has to-day received a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury directing that the steamship R. R. Cuyler be released when the owners of her give bonds to the government in double the amount of her value that she shall not be used by them to commit hostilities against any nation with which this government is at peace.

"If bonds are not given, and no new instructions come from Washington, proceedings for the confiscation of the vessel will go on. No intimation has yet been given as to what the course of the claimants will be."

DECLARATIONS AND NOTIFICATIONS.

The following declarations and notifications were issued by the several countries hereunder specified on the breaking out of the civil war in America:

FRANCE.

DECLARATION RESPECTING NEUTRALITY OF FRANCE DURING STRUGGLE IN AMERICA.

The minister of foreign affairs has submitted to the Emperor the following declaration, which his Majesty has approved:

DECLARATION.

His Majesty the Emperor of the French, taking into consideration the state of peace which exists between France and the United States of America, has resolved to main

tain a strict neutrality in the contest now pending between the government of the Union and the States that are attempting to form a distinct confederation.

In consequence, his Majesty, in view of article 14 of the Naval Ordinance of August, 1861; article 3 of the law of April, 1825; articles 84 and 85 of the Penal Code; 65 and others of the decree of the 24th of March, 1852; 313 and others of the Maritime Penal Code; and article 21 of the Code Napoleon, declares:

1. Ít shall not be lawful for any vessel of war or privateer of either of the belligerents to enter and remain with prizes in our ports or harbors more than twenty-four hours, unless in case of necessity.

2. No sale of prize goods shall take place in our ports or harbors.

3. It shall not be lawful for any Frenchman to accept a commission from either party to arm war vessels, or to accept letters of marque for privateering, or to take any part in equipping and arming a war vessel for either party.

4. Every Frenchman, in France or elsewhere, is forbidden to enlist or accept service in the army or navy, or in privateers of either belligerent.

5. Every Frenchman, residing in France or elsewhere, must refrain from any act against the laws of the empire or the law of nations that might be considered as an act hostile to one of the two parties, and contrary to the neutrality we have resolved to observe.

Violators of the prohibitions and recommendations contained in the present declaration shall be punished, if necessary, by the provisions of the law of the 10th of April, 1825, and by articles 84 and 85 of the Penal Code, and also be liable to prosecution by article 21 of the Code Napoleon, and articles 65 and onward of the decree of the 24th March, 1852, in relation to the navy, and by 313 et sequens of the Penal Code for the sea forces.

His Majesty moreover declares that every Frenchman who does not obey the present instructions cannot claim the protection of his government against any acts or measures that belligerents may exercise or decree.

NAPOLEON.

The minister of commerce issued the notification annexed to the mercantile classes in the Baltic ports:

"It is my duty to make known to you that during the continuance of the conflict that has broken out among the North American States the mercantile classes must abstain from all enterprises which are forbidden by the general principles of international law, and especially by the ordinance of the 12th of June, 1856, which has relation to the declaration of the 12th of April, 1856, upon the principles of maritime law. Moreover, I will not omit to make especially noticeable by you that the royal government will not permit to its shipping or its subjects, which may mix up in these conflicts by taking letters of marque, sharing in privateering enterprises, carrying merchandise contraband of war, or forwarding dispatches, to have the benefit of its protection against any losses which may befall them through such transactions.

"The equipment of privateers in the ports of this country is forbidden by the laws of the land, as is known to the mercantile community.”

BELGIUM.
[Translation.]

Belgium has given its adhesion to the principles laid down in the declaration of the Congress of Paris of April 16, 1856. This adhesion was published, together with the said declaration, (6th June, 1856,) in the Belgian Moniteur of June 8, 1856.

The commercial public is notified that instructions on this subject have been given to the judicial, maritime, and military authorities, warning them that privateers, under whatever flag or commission, or letters of marque, are not to be allowed to enter our ports, except in case of imminent perils of the sea. The aforesaid authorities are charged, consequently, to keep a strict watch upon all such privateers and their prizes, and to compel them to put to sea again as soon as practicable.

The same authorities have been charged not to recognize the validity of any commission or letter of marque whatsoever.

All persons subject to the laws of Belgium who shall fit out or take any part in any privateering expedition will therefore expose themselves to the danger, on the one hand, of being treated as pirates abroad, and, on the other, to prosecution before Belgian tribunals with all the rigor of the laws.

RUSSIA.

To the commander-in-chief of the port of Cronstadt :

His Imperial Highness the general admiral, foreseeing the possibility of ships belonging to the southern States of the American Union, which have seceded from the United States of North America, arriving at our ports during the present navigation, has directed me to inform your excellency, for your guidance, that, according to the opinion of the minister of foreign affairs, the flag of men-of-war belonging to the seceded States must not be saluted.

That there may be no obstacle in the way of commerce, merchant vessels of the seceded States are to be treated according to the rules acted on by us with regard to Italian merchant vessels sailing under the Italian flag; i. e., according to the treaties that are at present in force, (commercial treaty concluded between America and us, December fs, 1832.)

6

Should the crews of vessels belonging to the seceded States not wish to acknowledge the authority of the consuls appointed by the federal government of Washington, then, in case of dispute, they must abide by the decision of our local authorities, in the same manner as foreigners whose governments have no representatives in our empire. General-Major GREIG,

Director of the Chancellery of the Minister of Marine,

CIRCULAR ADDRESSED TO THE CUSTOM-HOUSES ON THE WHITE, BALTIC, BLACK, AND AZOFF SEAS.

By order of the minister of finance, the department of foreign trade prescribes, in case any merchant vessels arrive in our ports belonging to the southern States of the American Union, the same not acknowledging the authority of the government of the United States of America, the said vessels are to be treated and received as hitherto, according to the treaty of 1832, should even their ships' papers not be in order, which may occur in consequence of the present political condition of the United States of America.

General-Lieutenant PASHKOFF, Director of the Department of Foreign Trade. SORNIN, Chief of Section, &c.

NETHERLANDS.

[Translation.]

AT THE HAGUE.

In obedience to the King's orders, the ministers for foreign affairs, of justice, and of the marine, present to the knowledge of all it may concern, that, to guard against probable difficulties during the doubtful complications in the United States of North America, no privateers under any flag soever, or provided with any commission or letters of marque, or their prizes, shall be admitted into our havens or seaports, unless in case of marine disaster, and that requisite orders be issued that under any circumstances such privateers and their prizes be required to go again to sea as speedily as possible. The ministers above named.

[Translation.]

THE HAGUE.

The minister for foreign affairs and the minister of justice, by the King's authority, warn, by these presents, all inhabitants of the kingdom that, during the existing disturbances in the United States of America, they in no wise take part in privateering, because the Netherlands government has acceded to the declaration upon maritime rights set forth by the Paris conference of 1856, whereby, among other matters, privateering is abolished, and no recognition of commissions got for letters of marque permitted; also that commissions and letters of marque in conflict with the aforesaid prohibition, which may issue to inhabitants of the Netherlands, cannot have a lawful effect in behalf of the King's subjects or of any abroad who are in subjection to the laws of the kingdom. Those who, under such circumstances, engage in or lend their aid in privateering to other people, will be considered as pirates, and prosecuted according to law in the Netherlands, and subjected to the punishment provided for the commission of such offenses.

The ministers above named.

[Translation.]

THE HAGUE, June, 1861.

The minister for foreign affairs, apprised by a communication from the minister of marine that the King had authorized the naval force in the West Indies to be seasonably strengthened by his Majesty's steam-frigate Zealand and the screw-propellers Dyambi and Vesuvius, for the purpose of giving protection to the trade and navigation of the Netherlands during the contest which seems to be in existence in the United States of North America, wherever it may be desired, therefore esteems it to be his duty to direct the attention of shipmasters, consignees, and freighters to the peril to which their insurance against loss will be exposed by any violation of the obligations imposed on neutral powers to respect actual blockades, and not to carry contraband of war or dispatches of belligerents.

In these cases they will be subject to all the resulting losses that may follow, without the benefit of any protection or intervention on the part of his Majesty's government. Of which take notice.

The minister above named.

PORTUGAL.
[Translation.]

PALACE OF NECESSIDADES, July 29, 1861. It being proper, in view of the circumstances at present existing in regard to the United States of America, to carry into effect the principles established in the declaration of Paris of April 16, 1856, made by the representatives of the powers that signed the treaty of peace of the 30th of March of that year, to which declaration my government acceded, and likewise for the same reason to adopt other measures which I deem opportune, I have been pleased, after hearing the council of state, to decree as follows: ARTICLE 1. In all the ports and waters of this kingdom, as well on the continent and in the adjacent islands as in the ultramarine provinces, Portuguese subjects and foreigners are prohibited from fitting out vessels destined for privateering.

ARTICLE 2. In the same ports and waters referred to in the preceding article is, in like manner, prohibited the entrance of privateers and of the prizes made by privateers, or by armed vessels.

The cases of overruling necessity, (força maior,) in which, according to the law of nations, hospitality is indispensable, are excepted from this regulation, without permission, however, being allowed, in any manner, for the sale of any objects proceeding from prizes.

The ministers and secretaries of state in all the departments will thus understand, and cause it to be executed.

Countersigned:

MARQUEZ DE LOULE.

ALBERTO ANTONIO DE MORAES CARVALHO.

VISCONDE DE SA DA BANDEIRA.

CARLOS BENTO DA SILVA.

THIAGO AUGUSTO VELLOSO DE HORTA.

KING.

ANTONIO JOSÉ D'AVILA.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

PROCLAMATION OF THE KING OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS DECLARING THE NEUTRALITY OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOCALLED CONFEDERATE STATES.

KAILUA, August 26, 1861.

Be it known to all whom it may concern that we, Kamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian Islands, having been officially notified that hostilities are now unhappily pending between the government of the United States and certain States thereof styling themselves "the Confederate States of America," hereby proclaim our neutrality between the said contending parties.

That our neutrality is to be respected to the full extent of our jurisdiction, and that all captures and seizures made within the same are unlawful and in violation of our rights as a sovereign.

And be it further known, that we hereby strictly prohibit all our subjects, and all who reside or may be within our jurisdiction, from engaging, either directly or indirectly, in privateering against the shipping or commerce of either of the contending parties, or of rendering any aid to such enterprises whatever; and all persons so offending will be liable to the penalties imposed by the laws of nations, as well as by