The memorial concluded that in any case it was a disgrace that British law should be so publicly infringed.

To this, Hammond, under-secretary, gave the old answer that the law was adequate "provided proof can be obtained of any act done with the intent to violate it[1018]." Evidently ship-owners, as distinguished from ship-builders, were now acutely alarmed.

Meanwhile attention was fixed on the trial of the _Alexandra_, and on June 22, a decision was rendered against the Government, but was promptly appealed.
This decision made both Northern and Southern agents anxious and the latter took steps further to becloud the status of the Rams.

Rumours were spread that the vessels were in fact intended for France, and when this was disproved that they were being built for the Viceroy of Egypt.
This also proved to be untrue.

Finally it was declared that the real owners were certain French merchants whose purpose in contracting for such clearly warlike vessels was left in mystery, but with the intimation that Egypt was to be the ultimate purchaser.