Contraband of War

The United States Attorney-General has decided that it is no departure from neutrality for the citizens of a neutral State to sell to belligerents gunpowder, arms, munitions, or any other article of merchandise contraband of war, or for the merchant-ships of a neutral State to transport the troops or military munitions of either belligerent. Such commerce is perfectly lawful in itself, subject always to the chances of hostile capture by the other belligerent; and in the present war supplies of gunpowder or other articles contraband of war and military transportation have been furnished of lawful right by citizens of the United States to each of the belligerents, and more especially and in larger proportions to Great Britain and to France.—Washington Intelligencer.