The impropriety and illegality of such conduct is so manifest that I take it for granted his Excellency will interpose his authority for my protection.

Great Britain, having proclaimed a strict neutrality in the war now pending between the United States and Confederate States, is under the obligation, I respectfully suggest, not only to abstain herself, from any un-neutral conduct, but to see that all persons whatsoever within her dominions so abstain.

No act of war, proximate or remote, should be tolerated in her waters by the one belligerent against the other, or by any citizen or resident against either belligerent.

His Excellency will doubtless concur with me in the justice and propriety of the rule thus stated.

To apply this rule to the present case.