Sir:—I have the honor to ask the good offices of his
Excellency, the
Governor of
Gibraltar [this letter was addressed to the
Colonial Secretary, who conducted all the
Governor's official correspondence], in a matter purely my own. On Wednesday last, I dispatched from this port, in a French passenger-steamer for
Cadiz, on business connected with this ship, my paymaster,
Mr. Henry Myers, and
Mr. T. T. Tunstall, a citizen of the
Confederate States, and ex-United States Consul at
Cadiz.
The steamer having stopped on her way, at
Tangier, and these gentlemen having gone on shore for a walk during her temporary delay there, they were seized by the authorities, at the instigation of the United States Consul, and imprisoned.
A note from
Paymaster Myers informs me that they are both heavily ironed, and otherwise treated in a barbarous manner. * * * An occurrence of this kind could not have happened, of course, in a civilized community.
The political ignorance of the
Moorish Government has been shamefully practised upon by the unscrupulous Consul.
I understand that the
British Government has a diplomatic agent resident at
Tangier, and a word from that gentleman would, no doubt, set the matter right, and insure the release of the unfortunate prisoners.
And it is to interest this gentleman in this humane task, that I address myself to his
Excellency.
May I not ask the favor of his
Excellency, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, to address
Mr. Hay a note on the subject, explaining to him the facts, and asking his interposition?
If any official scruples present themselves, the thing might be done in his character of a private gentleman.
The Moorish Government could not hesitate a moment, if it understood correctly the facts, and principles of the case; to wit: that the principal powers of
Europe have recognized the
Confederate States, as belligerents, in their war against the
United States, and consequently that the act of making war against these States, by the citizens of the
Confederate States, is not an offence, political, or otherwise, of which a neutral can take cognizance, &c.
