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The customhouse was still under construction when the Civil War began. In addition to deterioration from its unfinished state, the building was damaged by shelling. Construction resumed in 1870. (Library of Congress image [LC-DIG-pga-01103])

The customhouse was still under construction when the Civil War began. In addition to deterioration from its unfinished state, the building was damaged by shelling. Construction resumed in 1870. (Library of Congress image [LC-DIG-pga-01103])

A cheerful blockade runner holds the reigns of a cargo-laden alligator bound for the New Orleans market. (Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj78002])

A cheerful blockade runner holds the reigns of a cargo-laden alligator bound for the New Orleans market. (Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj78002])

When he heard of plans to run the blockade with a shipment of bacon intended for the rebellion, U.S. Consul George Abbot wrote from England to Assistant Secretary of State F. William Seward in the United States, hoping to intercept the illicit cargo. (CBP History reference collections)

When he heard of plans to run the blockade with a shipment of bacon intended for the rebellion, U.S. Consul George Abbot wrote from England to Assistant Secretary of State F. William Seward in the United States, hoping to intercept the illicit cargo. (CBP History reference collections)

Bales of southern cotton are loaded onto carts headed into Mexico. Though the Union blockade of seaports and inland waterways was relatively successful, cutting off trade on the southern border with Mexico was not feasible. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-119594])

Bales of southern cotton are loaded onto carts headed into Mexico. Though the Union blockade of seaports and inland waterways was relatively successful, cutting off trade on the southern border with Mexico was not feasible. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-119594])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, He only put his horns out, and roar'd at the blockade." (Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [cw 103060])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, He only put his horns out, and roar'd at the blockade." (Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [cw 103060])

In his letter to President Lincoln, Gideon Wells seeks to clarify the legal underpinnings of the blockade of southern ports. A partial transcription reads: "If the interdiction is to be by Blockade, then the rules and principles of inter-national law must govern-the Confederate States must be considered and treated as a distinct nationality-their collectors, revenue officers, clearance, registers &c are to be recognized as legitimate. But, if the interdiction is to be by the closing of the ports, which is a legal, municipal enactment of our own government, asserting, and carrying into effect its own authority within our own jurisdiction, then the collectors of the Confederate States, are to be regarded as nullitys, their registries and clearances of no account, and those who disregard our authority and laws, do so at their peril." (Library of Congress, American Memory Collection, Abraham Lincoln Papers) Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj78002])

In his letter to President Lincoln, Gideon Wells seeks to clarify the legal underpinnings of the blockade of southern ports. A partial transcription reads: "If the interdiction is to be by Blockade, then the rules and principles of inter-national law must govern-the Confederate States must be considered and treated as a distinct nationality-their collectors, revenue officers, clearance, registers &c are to be recognized as legitimate. But, if the interdiction is to be by the closing of the ports, which is a legal, municipal enactment of our own government, asserting, and carrying into effect its own authority within our own jurisdiction, then the collectors of the Confederate States, are to be regarded as nullitys, their registries and clearances of no account, and those who disregard our authority and laws, do so at their peril." (Library of Congress, American Memory Collection, Abraham Lincoln Papers) Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj78002])

Though construction began in 1848, the New Orleans customhouse was still a building-in-progress when the U.S. Customs Service moved into the first floor in 1856. Confederate forces, and later the Union Army, occupied the unfinished structure during the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1871. Damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the customhouse was renovated and reopened in 2011. (CBP History reference collections)

Though construction began in 1848, the New Orleans customhouse was still a building-in-progress when the U.S. Customs Service moved into the first floor in 1856. Confederate forces, and later the Union Army, occupied the unfinished structure during the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1871. Damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the customhouse was renovated and reopened in 2011. (CBP History reference collections)

The Richmond customhouse was newly built by the federal government in 1861, but served as the Confederate Treasury during the Civil War. (Library of Congress image [LC-DIG-ppmsca-08233])

The Richmond customhouse was newly built by the federal government in 1861, but served as the Confederate Treasury during the Civil War. (Library of Congress image [LC-DIG-ppmsca-08233])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, From the southern point of view, it was imperative that the Confederacy succeed in the war, break the blockade, and once again trade its most valuable commodity. The lyrics in part read: "By the blockade he is bound, In our Southern regions found; Let him hear the gladsome sound, Of your warlike chorus round. Great King Cotton. "Let him once again be free To help the nations over the sea; For your wealth he holds the key To As the Union gained victories in the south and captured key coastal cities, it reopened blockaded ports for trade with northern states as well as foreign nations. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-116353])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, From the southern point of view, it was imperative that the Confederacy succeed in the war, break the blockade, and once again trade its most valuable commodity. The lyrics in part read: "By the blockade he is bound, In our Southern regions found; Let him hear the gladsome sound, Of your warlike chorus round. Great King Cotton. "Let him once again be free To help the nations over the sea; For your wealth he holds the key To As the Union gained victories in the south and captured key coastal cities, it reopened blockaded ports for trade with northern states as well as foreign nations. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-116353])

When he heard of plans to run the blockade with a shipment of bacon intended for the rebellion, U.S. Consul George Abbot wrote from England to In this cartoon illustration, Union military cats, atop bales of cotton, kill "Southern rats" at the blockaded port. (Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj08022])

When he heard of plans to run the blockade with a shipment of bacon intended for the rebellion, U.S. Consul George Abbot wrote from England to In this cartoon illustration, Union military cats, atop bales of cotton, kill "Southern rats" at the blockaded port. (Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society [nhnycw/aj aj08022])

James Longstreet had a notable career with the U.S. Army before resigning his position and becoming a Confederate Brigadier General for the south in 1861. After the war, his old friend and newly-elected United States President Ulysses S. Grant helped him regain his U.S. citizenship under federal amnesty. Longstreet served as Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New Orleans from 1869-1873, the first of several distinguished positions with the U.S. government. (CBP History reference collections.)

James Longstreet had a notable career with the U.S. Army before resigning his position and becoming a Confederate Brigadier General for the south in 1861. After the war, his old friend and newly-elected United States President Ulysses S. Grant helped him regain his U.S. citizenship under federal amnesty. Longstreet served as Surveyor of Customs for the Port of New Orleans from 1869-1873, the first of several distinguished positions with the U.S. government. (CBP History reference collections.)

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, From the southern point of view, it was imperative that the Confederacy succeed in the war, break the blockade, and once again trade its most valuable commodity. The lyrics in part read: "By the blockade he is bound, In our Southern regions found; Let him hear the gladsome sound, Of your warlike chorus round. Great King Cotton. "Let him once again be free To help the nations over the sea; For your wealth he holds the key To give you joy or misery. Great King Cotton." (Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [cw 200950])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to From the Union perspective, the blockade was a success, heralded in lyrics like the following: "The rebels now stand trembling, they see their game's play'd out, They thought that France and England, would join them in the South But to their great disaster, John Bull's too much afraid, From the southern point of view, it was imperative that the Confederacy succeed in the war, break the blockade, and once again trade its most valuable commodity. The lyrics in part read: "By the blockade he is bound, In our Southern regions found; Let him hear the gladsome sound, Of your warlike chorus round. Great King Cotton. "Let him once again be free To help the nations over the sea; For your wealth he holds the key To give you joy or misery. Great King Cotton." (Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [cw 200950])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to the Confederacy. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-113737])

Though this cartoon comically portrays southern efforts to court English support, the Union was concerned about potential British assistance to the Confederacy. (Library of Congress image [LC-USZ62-113737])

Last modified:

September 13, 2016

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