Running the blockade.
The impression prevails that there is a system of collusion practised between the blockading fleet off Charleston harbor and those blockade runners who bring in Yankee goods, embracing such things as give neither aid nor comfort to our army nor strengthen our means of defence in any manner. It is inferred that this system is practised because all the vessels captured by the enemy are freighted either with Government stores or things intended for the supply of the army. No list of the vessels seized or destroyed by the blockaders has been published. Such a list would throw much light on the subject. It would show whether the impression generally entertained is correct or not.Another alleged fact which adds strength to the suspicion of this collusion is that the vessels laden with cotton and naval stores, which the Yankees need so much, are seldom, if ever, obstructed in their outward voyage to the West Indies.
If there is enough in the facts to justify this impression — if the wealth of the country is going out to benefit Yankee manufacturers, and the blockade speculators are running in only useless gewgaws and goods that may be dispensed with, while the things necessary for the army are intercepted — the matter is worthy of the especial notice of the Government. A little investigation will easily disprove the suspicion or confirm it, and the subject is of sufficient importance to demand it.
