K.
g 'illy
OFFICE
s.
SB 3 pox annum
I N A D V A KCK
rtN THE
SIDE OF TRADE STREET
CHARACTER IS AS IMPOBTANT TO STATES AS IT IS TO INDIVIDUALS, AND THE GLORY OP TUB ONE IS THE COMMON PROPERTY OP THK OTHER.'
CHARLOTTE, N. C, , TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1863.
7, YATSxS- Editor and Proprietor-
ELEVENTH YOLUJIE X U BI B E R 555.
sf if 3 in iO
I I
TVTpco rro nf PrOCldpnt TlaVIQ :
-:. ,h. Kruntr and Hons of Jienrtsentativcs of
4 '""" !
t thp date of vour last a Jjournmenr tnc pre- .
" ' - . 1 . - - ;
T.nratiuns of the enemy lor further hostilities Lad ;
u c tu--v.... - r - ....
jiuc iini:us ai iciicu.-iun '
i.. .i.,rwa-. .f i-.n r i iv in in 'pr
.l.r.. ti.fiu-ipiit TrijinMnu'fc.-i io avuiu tcrious
'Jl.isft l.ror.arations were
completed :
1 I, t V I lV .7. - - I f
fh, r'Jv niter your depariure irom me ur v-
I i. i.. . -----
t ,.,,.t ,'im t fir rm;er oi Hie i.nueu oiaies
... :,ml the Hinr.es ol tne l.m
Mtiailtaneous advance on our frontiers, on
f I . f we
vfi-rn rivers itf.u on inc Aiianuc-c(
i.-s n re .'it ns t) vir.ee tneir hope ot
J . ;;riri " all r'.-ifance by mere weight of nuni
l.i-Lf li.-.jvv!r, like those previously entcr-
(iii:-d hv tfti r foc, has vanished. In Virginia,
.urth attoinrt at invasion by armies whose
:.--nr. Mifci-ss was conf.dently pn dieted, ha
j.k t ' 'it eisive r-pulse. Our noble defenders,
u'i ier tin- C'iii-dmniatf leadership of their General,
1, r:'.'ii", at l'redei iekburg, inflicted cu the
1 ri.i-.- ui. it r (' tifr-d Hurnhide the like disastrous
-rhr.w as had l ecii r reviously suflered by the
.-.-:v'
! Mi-Aril
invading arinics commanded by (iens.'i
le('iei!aa aid Tord. f
I.
tli.- '(t ob.-tinate battles have bc-cn fought
v;.i;hl: foi tunes, marked by frightful car-
fill I. - ill M ies, imi niu triirmv r, iiuura
I, ,th -i-les, but the enemy hones of de-
i ... ii . , i. . ..
Cl-i
Yid
r - u ifs
1 1 ill-'' Ml
av( again been bufiled, while at
r :.i. in. uatfjc oxpcauion nas uo-mi
rr!
!1 ..-
. i .ii.i.. i i
v,.rn i ii C' 'ii n i 1 1 a o le loss on our-Muc ani
ic dania"' to the assailing forces. On the
Hiiii; c.:i.t 1 1 1 o ein'iny has boon unable to gain
t . i . t i f beond the protecting shelter of his
its. and flit- city of Galveston has just ben re
er'd nv our forces, which succeeded not only
I'll
in t
i iMi;re d the garrison but of one of the
t !! n. y
.-i.-seis oi war, whicli was carritt ty
i ;.i ti-.s fi rn merchant river steamers.
);r i -i'ititd pu.s:ti..ns have avery where been
n.-.u-h tm.utheiH d and improved, affording assur-
nnoe oi our
liity to meet, with success,
the ut-
Ii
i Y-.rfs of Mir enemies.
in spite of the magni-
i:r ui imii i i '.i i i 1 1 ui iui .ii.iiii.iv.
'.. . c .i . : . .,.. .... i ;.. .. .. ....!.'
n i -v f our hi.tory during the t wo yenrs ol
, - , , n J . 1 !
f 'ir rriri"nai existence auorus causu iur congiatuia
ti'.'ii and demands the most fervent expression
of
nr thankfulnt-tis tu the Almighty Father who has
Mt-ssed onr cause. W e are justified in asserting,
with a prid-, sit'ely not unbecornming. that those
Ccnfi. derate States have added another to the
l.-.-nv tauht l. h:.story for the instruction of
man; tli.it tlo v h.'i- ;;ff.rded another example of
t l.n iiup".-s;biltty of Miojugatiug a people deter
tiiiiMil to lie i 1 -ecj'and have demonstrated thu,t(no
nijtiiority of numbers or available resources can
t leome the resistance offered by such valor in
combat, such et-ii.st r.icy under suffering and Mich
c 1 iful endurance of privation as have been ri!
hpieuMiily dis.layed by this people in the ef nee
of tlu ir rights and liberties. The antieij ations
with which we en tend into the contest have now
ripened into n conviction which is not only shared
with us by the common opinion of neutral nations,
but is evidently fori.,:ng itself uponuir enemies
themselves. If vs- Lot mark the history of the
rest tit year by resolute perseverance in the path
we nave iiuiierio iuruetl: tv vigorous cUort in
the development of all our nsources for defence;
a;. I by the eontinuid exhibition of the same un
faltering courage in our soldiers and able condifct
in their leaders as have distinguished the past, we
have every reason to expect that this will be the
closing year of the war. The war, which in its
inception, was waged for forcing us back into the
Union, buying failed to accomplish that purine,
passed into a second stage in which it was attempt
ed to cor. juer and rule these States rss dependent
provinces. JVfeatcd in this second design, our
enemies have evidently entered upon another,
which can have no ot her purpose than revenge
and thirst for blood and plunder of private prop
erty, lint however implacable they may be, they
can have neither the spirit nor the re.-ourcrs re
quired for a fourth year of a straggle uneheered
by any hope of success, kept alive solely for the
indulgence of mercenary and wicked passions, and
demanding so exhaustive an expenditure oi blood
und money as has hitherto been imposed on their
people The advent of peace will be hailed with
joy. Our desire for it has never been concealed.
Our i lb.rts to avoid the nar, forced on us as it
wus by the lust of conquest and the insane pas-si-
ns of our foes, at? known to mankind. Jhit
earnest as ha- been our wish for peace and great
ax have b. en our snn ifiVes and stiff, rin-s during
the war, the determination of this pioj.lr lias with
n,h Miceecdii.g month become more unalterably
fixed, to endure any sufferings and Continue any
sa entices, however prolonged, until their ri-ht tu
ndf government and tie sovereignly andin,lc-
a J m'
pemn nee 01 these States sh.d have b. en
umphantly vindicated and firmly established.
.11 this connection, the occasion seems not
tri-
t un-
;ta!
e
e 1 1 u i)in., .imii . u ... i . : i . l
i- . i :
m.eeieracy and the neutral powers nf En-
v- v v 1 1 i.i iii.'ii. ur i n i i ij i
l oi t
inee the separation of fbe Sf-it fY,,-. ti, '
leiuo r i. nii.in. j
h
r ... - v, ..i ..i ,
l ur ot tbe States now momU. f i!, n.,
fed
aev were recorded bv n,mn i.i.b.n.l i
Won
. o ...v..,.... .,
-.-.v.-. in iirii v in nn - r r rAn ai m. t.i.i
"' -V' Ul I '.r' ,vit'1 one f the two groat maritime
1,Sil stern l-.r,,B ,...J l. .1 1.
1 ii-iu uiTii, in im
a "l I iit'll
Articles Of t'oef.-lr.,.:.-
:i kiePimd nn..A.. t.i
the
- v v it. VJ UI II 'H t h a . .
:h V,
v tlie term-! nf
was n,aie tLat the first
.i.im'ii
cxi ress nri.vis;,!..
union bhoulo l-,o r . 1
I lit-1 1 right to secede.
'"-inn s am in.. l.
vision, was
ueuner con istf, .,. ,1
-.1 . "r. I"
is j io-
lie
Mates iiom
wiiicn tlicy separated, iwr n,u(Je
,i;. ..-. ... .1 - .
the subject of
.ii.-iu.viiiii Miiii anv ri.rrt t. n-.
J ll 1 l . II )nn u
a
.. ' . v: ", Tothat second
u.iiou, aim iMieu. s:iu la.vr, the otl
now meinlers uf this Confederacy, beeam-
., .. t .... e . 1. f
seven
1
a.-o
a.o e,o. ,s vi 1 ne same union, it was upon the ie
cni.nized footing of iqual and iudcpcndci.1 sov-
rumnics, Mur bad it then entered into th
minds
"t men that sovereign States could
be compfilled
o loree, to remmn members ot
1
a Con fed.-rnti, ,ti
u,. i.: l. .1. . . . .
nun uitj naa entered ct their own free
wii
II. at I Hi wrnnonl i,.,l ,1. .lf . r I
- -vj ,
their
j t..vu, uiitiise oi
safety and honor skeuW. in their Inrl, I
' "-., i
1 ouu. a i(c , ... . ,r .1.. .1 t .1 i..i .1 ... 1 1 - - . 1 i : e it waa
. a l niou with nine other : the aggressors in a wicked war. Vt the incen- : reserved with entire confidence that neutral na- ;
c. i . l! 01 nIederation. Iissatisi- tion of hostilities the inhnhif:in nf tfnnfed- 1 tions could not fail to perceive that just reason ex- its
i'i ..a n!""' tLr-e of them. Ar;n;n ' er.-uy were alniost cxclusiveiv .-i-rriVnltMrivt-tho!fl ! isfed for the reservation. Nor was this confidence ;
' . ; aroillia !!' Georgia, t.-.fti,, ,;.i. ' r.P tU I'..Jr.-l .. - : n..,naA r. ..fRinl enmpnt! nnbli.shed by ; p
v 1 no. , ..us now nieii.i.. -c .1. . 1 , ' 1 1 ... . 0 '. . . .1 1. . . . n. 11 .j ..lil.m
r ,1 .. . j ne t nued fctates. ana mercnants. n e uad no commercial marine, i tne lintisn ijovevnmeni, usuauy caueu
justify withdrawal
The experience of the past
such inherent
federation
t- n
WL J L A. I JJ f.t1---w-7
the States aain thought proper, for reasons
bans i iciur v iu iiicuist-it ls, ---
. ; . ,
secon J union, and to iorm a
third one under an
stif utinn. thev exercised
ri"ht
, f u; JnliArftnt. leouired no iustification to
foro:(rn nafionc. and Which international law did
: u .tf;
The usages of in-
HUl Lll'IlUU llll'lll IU UCPti" ,J w """h
tercourse between nation? 00, However, require
ced the futility ol any renunciation oi ; lective against; tne tomeueraie oiaiea oiu-". , uics, me oiocsaaes Known in nwiory, uoaer the "'"uj on us, ana to comer eignai ad- ir.ose states providing for the punishment of
rights and accordingly the provision i tney alone could und a nostue commerce u mo ; uames 01 tnc JSerlin and Milan decrees, and the ; r" . ,!. r 7 ' . ' . ,n "cuing aerviie insurrection
,,;f w,hin in the Artie es of Con-! ocean. Merely nominal against the United states, British orders in Council, in the years 1806 and iS ' m.:. i.: , U1" ,"" l? r ,.rr. , .nan coniiaee to treat at
or i , 1 o was uniiiitu m itn, vyv-.m- j K. v. w. ...... - ----- er3 iuruu5 rt.innj, l be chief r these was the Hall direct tUcir d ichare and nturn l ik:r
i- l - a n n s i rtnwririi i i iiu urii in m ruin a v rwa r-i r cm u; liri i frivt nrt 1 t m. j a n ilk 111111 iriafifwniiiranfa2 1 v or 1 ruiun niAAir r.. a a., aw . . . awaa . . .. .....
T7kO WKn thorr.ffirp. in 1 861 elc ven i the Uonfedoracv. bv dennvine it ol tne oniy aaes were lustihed bv the cowers that declared fear that a statement of or int rrnn.ia rmni.L.t on th nrnnr ...... i
,n ; that official communication be made to friendly ; in any future war, is strikingly illustrated Dy tne j Lnited states in l&JJ; yet those blockades were j
over- ..t w ,1 i tf-n-or insnirpd amonc the commercial classes of ! one of the' principal motives that led to the decla-
hrru 1 ? i r th TT;rt,l C,nfafl U oinnrla fr 11 ifcPT nf t hp flrin- ration nf 1 hp Pnn trrrcc nf T!rla nf 1 RF( in ihf fnnJ
t if l iv 111 it 1 1 iirtr; ri i' r 1,111 " r.i 11a liii; i.uij.l iluliiiij i - -w. - -. . .. . , . . - . .
" - -t st.itio rii tbarn i c fifividiK nmnr piv in friv- : inc u 111 ucu otaico j y - ; v . v. -. .
ing prompt assurance of our desire to continue lederacy. Uue national steamer uuuau uy B .u.un.g an enaurmg cnecK on tne very , Cft,m confilJenceever , nspired in tho,; Vho with con
nmicable relations uith all mankind. It was un- ' officers and manned by a crew who are debarred, ; tbuse of maritime power, which is now renewea - .cionsnew of right enn invoke the Divine WeMinJ on
. . v- - - - i 1
uer the influence of these considerations that vour
nre.lecesors the provisional government took
o-irlv n.PnroR fi.r ipndino- to Furone f, mmis in their favor as prize, has sumced to double the wrong without precedent in history. orao ac ieei nnaue elation at the present briphter
errdwitirdu insurance in Northern ports and The records of our State Beartment contain fJ-
capitals of the different powers, and making ar- consign to forced inaction numbers of Northern the evidence of the repeated and formal remon- , longer be misinter,,reted lhiU Ilnv ,hem clearly before
ran -ements for the opening of more formal dip- ' vessels, in addition to the direct damage inflicted strances made by this government to neutral j you. It seems to mo now proper to give you the infor-ion-iatie
ii toreoitrfif ! by captures at sea. How difficult, then, to over- powers against the recognition of this blockade, motion, and although no immediate results may be at-
A It hna hten shown bv PvlAonfP nrf csnalilp nf ,ainc(J- it is well that truth should be preserved and
, ..,, ucc, , t.. - -
(ominissioners. the United States had commenced
hostilities against the Confederacy by despatching
a secret expedition for the reinforcement of Fort
Sumter, after an express promise to the contrary,
and with a duplicity which .has been fully un
veiled in a former message. They had also ad
dressed communications to the different Cabinets
UlliUICllb vaulliUl.')
of Europe, in which they assumed the attitude of
' ...
boin sovereign over this Confederacy, alleging
that these independent States were in rebellion
against the remaining States of the Union, and
threatening Europe with manifestations of their
displeasure if it should treat the Confederate
States as having an independent existence. It
j soon became known that these pretensions were
! not considered abroad to be as absurd as they were
known to be at home, nor had Europe yet learned
what reliance was to be placed on the official
statements of the Cnbinct at Washington. The
, , , , , o . . . .
, c . . J . .1
the J ederal Government to represent them in
foreign intercourse had led Europe into the grave
error of supposing that their separate sovereignty
and independence had been merged into one
common sovereignty, and had ceased to have a
distinct existence. Under the influence of this
error, which all appeals to reason and historical
fact were vainly used to dispel, our Commissioners
were met by the declaration that foreign govern
ments could not assume to judge between the con
flicting representations of the two parties as to the
true nature of their previous mutual relations.
The governments of Great Britain and France ac
cordingly signified their determination to confine
themselves to recognizing the self-evident fact
of the existence of a war, and to maintaining a
strict neutrality during its progress. Some of the
other powers of Europe pursued the same course
of policy, and it became apparent that by some
understanding, express or tacit, Europe had de
cided to leave the initiative in all action touching
the contest on this continent to the two powers
just named, who were recognized to have the
largest interests involved, both- by reason of
proximity and of the extent and intimacy of their
commercial relations with the States engaged in
war. It is manifest that the course of action
adopted by Europe, while based on an apparent
refusal to determine the question, or to side with
either party, was in point of fact an actual de-
j cision ngmnst our rights and in favor of the
j groundless pretensions of the United States. It
was a refusal to treat us as an independent gov
ernment. If we were independent States, the re
fusal to entertain with u.s the same international
intercourse ,as was maintained7 with our enemy
was unjust, and was injurious in its effects, what
ever may have been the motive which prompted
it. Neither was it in accordance with the high
moral obligations of that international code whose
chief sanction is the conscience of sovereigns
and the public opinion of mankind, that those
eminent powers should decline. the performance
of a duty peculiarly incumbent on them, from
any apprehension of the consequences to them
selves. One immediate and necessary result of
their declining the responsibility of a decision
which must have been adverse to the extrava
gant pretensions of the United States, was the
prolongation of hostilitities to which our enemies
were thereby encouraged and which have resulted
in nothing but scenes of carnage and devastation
on this continent, and of misery and suffering on
the other, such ns have scarcely a parallel in
history. Had those powers promptly admitted
onr right to be treated as all other independent
nations, none can doubt th:;t the moral effect of
! such action would have been to dispel the delu-
sion under which the United States have persisted
. i nr i.i
- . .u.-v.j, .
ii i . r r- rr.irrc rr. i rnnnir,!.. 1. . .m.i inn i
0 c continued hesitation of the same powers in j
renderirir this act of simt.lfi instier? towards this
v on t eo e racy is still due the continuance ot the ,
.
calamities which mankind suffers from the inter- i
runtion of its peuce.ful pursuits, bjth in the old I
and the new worlds.
' ' I
There are other matters in which leFS than
inji... 1... .-. .1 i v
j. ....... .iu.- ivnuncu 10 mis people Uy ncu-
while their merchant vessels covered the ocean.
We were without a navv. while thee had power
ful fleets. The advantage whioh thev nnsscssed !
ior lunicting iniurv on our coasts nn.i b.ir br.rs was I
thus countprbal.-meod in cinw r..t.,.a t... tK.i or. !
- - .-.-x. .wi, unurtiit; v t vwv- j
posure of their commerce to attack by private !
armed vessels. It was known to Europe that
within a verv few tears past the United States i
h-..d peremptorily refused to accede to proposals for :
-I' l. - . .....
ubolishtug privateering, on the ground, as alleg
bythetu, tbrit nations owning powerful fleets wou
oorrt
would '
uitreoy obtain undue advantage over
. . r- . .
those pos- !
ss.ng ID(crior naval forces yet nQ fi0oner Vas
war flagrant between tU rr.A. th
It - , o " vviiitunnvj
United States. than the n,sr;t;mi nJora rvf En-
rope issued orders ,r,.l,;k;.: v.,ra I
-.7. hvva ui nr i s iirmn hifmA. ..t-.. w.ei
... " I - ...uui..- ClUICl F4U) "UU1 i
wringing prizes mta their nnrt- "
'I'L t,a: .. 6 r T0Tt.s: .
f "tituiiiuu directed witn apparent impar-1
01 incomer. 111 me ; ii,M ouiwi'i;, anu unuue advantage conterrea on ; "ocuiung suounumy ei uavai iui"i - , (ju
j tiulity against both belligerents, was in reality ef-
. , . .. .... i i-...' j .,;onn ISftT -.'. .t. i. v. oUr relation, witu toreign pow . instruments tu the coramiaa ion of thtaa
' j a u .
, means of maintainidg, with some approach to
i j do
crushing superiority of naval force possessed by
its enemies.
The value and efficiency ot iue j
. t
weapon which was thus wrested trom our grasp oy
the combined action of neutral European powers
European powers
i in favor of a nation which professes openly its in-
j icunuu 01 ravaging iuch i.u.u.u,vv
. - , . iii
i by the closure 01 neutral pons, noiu iuh upponu-
! nity of causing captured vessels to oe coauemned
i t - . i i i I
. b tje huudred3 of private armed vessels that
; J , , . . a. . t.i
nierce of our enemy, if the means of disposing of
. .iilli .t ..
their prizes had not been withheld by the action
of neutral Europe !
But it is especially in relation to the so-called
! blockade of our coast that the policy ot European
,, lj .L i.
j ! . 4 ;. n , nn i . j,..
iniiipv tr flip I Anf Ailpr.'ifiv. anil to cfiniftr anvunrji.
rea on the United States. The importance of this
subject requires some development.
Trior to the year 1856, the principles regulat
ing this subject were to be gathered from the wri
tings of eminent publicists, the decisions of admi
ralty courts, international treaties, and the usages
of nations. The uncertainty and doubt which
prevailed in reference to the true rules of maritime
law, in time of war, resulting from the discordant
and often conflicting principles announced from
such varied and independent sources, had become
a gricvious evil to mankind. Whether a blockade
was allowable against a port not invested by land
as well as by sea; whether a blockade was valid by
sea if the investing fleet was merely sufficient to
render ingress fo the blockaded port "evidently
dangerously," or whether it was further required
for its legality that it should be sufficient "really
to prevent access;" and numerous other similar
questions had remained doubtful and undecided.
Animated by the highly honorable desire to put
an end "to differences of opinion between neutrals
and beligcrents, which may occasion serious diffi
culties and event conflicts," (I quote the official
language,) the five great Powers of Europetogeth
er with Sardinia and Turkey, adopted, in 1856,
the following "solemn declaration" of principles :
1. Privateering is, and remains abolished.
2. The neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with
the exception of contraband of war.
3. Neutral goods, with the exception of contra
band of war, are not liable to capture under ene
my 'sflag.
4. lilockades, in order to be binding, must be
effective; that is to say, maintained by a force suffi
cient really to prevent access to the coast of the
enemy."
Not only did this solemn declaration announce
to the world the principles to which the signing
powers agreed to conform in future wars, but it
contained a clause to which those powers gave im
mediate effect, and which provided that the States,
not parties to the Congress of Paris, should be
invited to accede to the declaration. Under this
invitation every independent State in Europe yiel
ded its assent; at least, no instance is known to mo
of a refusal, and the United States, 'while declin
ing to assent to the proposition which prohibited
privateering, declared that the three remaining
principles were in entire accordance with their own
views of international law.
No instance is known in history of the adoption
of rules of public law under circumstances of like
solemnity, with like unanimity, and pledging the
faith of nations with a sancity so peculiar!
When, therefore, the Confederacy was formed
and when neutral powers while deferring action
on its demand for admission into the family of na
tions, recognized it as a belligerent power, Great
Britain and France made informal proposals about
the same time that their own rights as neutrals
should be guarantied by our acceding, as bellige
rents, to the declaration of principles made by the
Congress of Paris. The request was addressed to
our sense of justice, and therefore met immediate
favorable response in the resolutions of the Pro
visional Congress of the 13th August, 1861, by
which all the principles announced by the Con
gress of Paris were adopted as the guide of our
conduct during the war, with the sole exception j
ption
... . . . . . .
..v i . in n As thn Mnni in !
As the right to
v. .viu.iiv iu L.iuu.i.r. i
make use of privateers was one in which neutral
iiHtions Vm tn'h nmepnt. nr no interest: as '
r- .. ... , . ,
it was a right which tho United States had rc-
fused to abandon and which thev remained at i
liberty to rmnlov gainst m: as it was a right of I
, . - . , - I .i
n ii m n rw a aA Aiwawi -k nnrit.i i artiATTniont . iiii
which we could not be expected to renounce J
41 i .i! l.. ..cclnn- an :
- f J .
I t.-i ii: c.k.i caMcfartion
jjooks, cooiaiu nit: cAincasivn ui tuc dq...
of that government with the conduct ofthooffi-
cials who conducted successfully
the " delicate
business connded to their cnarge.
The solemn declarations of principle, this mi- ;
l x Ifl
plied agreement between the Confederacy and the
two powers just named, have been sutterea 10
remain inoperative against the menaces and out-,
rages cn neutral rights, committed by the United ,
i. - 3 . C ...,-iraTll
.Mates wun unceasint? ana progressing
duriug the whole period of the war.
Neutral
; c . , tt;..j
Europe remained passive wtren tne onueu
with a naval force insufficient to blockade, eneu-
tivelv. the coast of a single State, proclaimed a
ji - ., -
paper blockade of thousands of miles of coast ex- 1
rrndincrfromtheeancs Chesapeake to those of lion-
Is . .. , A C
da, and encirc ing tne UUll oi iUexicu "V .
. 7. Z"u i?; nMnd rJomnared: :
nesiw me muuvu ui m - r i
with this monstrous pretention of the United
them, on the sole around that thev were retalitr.
ry; yet those blockades hae since been condemn-
ed by the publicist of those very powers as viola-
f,nna it A. li i j
tions ot international law: vet those blockades
ij r t
i evoked angry remonstrances from neutral powers;
amongst which the United States were the most '
conspicuous: yet those blockades became the chief
1 cause of the war between Great Britain and the
l i . , .i
. . . V
iuc tuueu oiaies ui ipui anu iou( ucucr
.:-... l i " a l r . v
circumstances anu wun features oi aggravated
i contradiction, and which has been furnis-hed m
I v... i or::i-. !... i,
! iew ports of this Confederacy, before which any
i. . i .II I. I'l l
naval forces at all have been stationed, have been
invested so inefficiently that hundreds of entries
iiave been effected into them since the declaration
ef the blockade; that our enemies have themselves
admitted the inefficiency of their blockade in tho
most forcible manner, by repeated elficial com
plaints of the sale, to us, of goods contraband of
var, a sale which could not possibly affect their
interests if their pretended blockade was sufficient
"really to prevent access to our coast;" that they
have gone farther, and have alleged their inability
to render their paper blockade effective as the
excuse for the odious barbarity of destroying the
entrance to one of'our harbors by finking vessels
loaded with stone in the channel; that our com
merce with foreign nations has been intercepted,
not by the effective investment of our forts, nor
by the seizure of ships , in the attempt to enter
theni, but by the capture on the high seas of
neutral vessels by the cruisers of our enemies
whenever supposed to be bound to any point on
our extensive coast, without enquiry whether a
j singly blockading vessel was to be found at such
point; that blockading vessels have left the ports
at which they were stationed for distant expeditions,
have been absent for many days and have returned,
without notice either of the cessation or renewal
of the blockade; in a word, that every prescription
of maritime law, and every right of neutral nations
to trade with a belligerent under the sanction of
principles heretofore universally respected, have
been systematically and persistently violated by
the United States. Neutral Europe has leceived
our remonstrances and has submitted in almost
unbroken silence to all the wrongs that the United
States have chosen to inflict on its commerce.
The Cabinet of Great Britain, however, has . not
confined itself to such implied acquiescence in
these breaches of international law as results from
simple inaction, but has in a . published despatch
of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
assumed to make a change in the principal enunci
ated by the Congress of Paris, to which the faith
of the British Government was considered to be
pledged; a change too important and too prejudicial
to the interests of the Confederacy to be overlooked,
and against which I have directed solemn protest
to be .made, after a vain attempt to obtain satisfac
tory explanations from the .British Government.
In a published despatch from her Majesty's
Foreign Office, to her Minister at Washington,
under date of the 11th of February, 1862, occurs
the following passage :
"Her Mnjesty's Government, however, are of opinion
that assuming that the blockade w-ts duly notified und
also that a number of ships is stationed .and remains
at the entrance of a port suflieient really to prevent
ftceess to it; or to create in evident danger of entering it
or leaving it; and ill n t thc-pe ships do not voluntarily
permit ingress !Ur egrrss, the fact that various ships
mrtv have successfully escaped through it (as in the
particular instar.ee here referred to) will not of itself
prevent the blockade from being an effectual one by
international lawj-f
The words which I have italicised are an
addition made by the British Government of its
own authority to a principle the exact terms of
which were settled with deliberation with th5
common consent of civilized nations, and by
implied convention with this Government, as
already explained, and their encct is clearly to
re-open to the prejudice of the Confederacy otic of
1 i . .. . .1
the very disputed questions on tne law 0 DIockuuc
. 1 a 1 1
l..s.K Ihu I , ri r,r a r. i I'lirta tMiAlncco.t I ( cnftl
The importance of this change is readily illustrated
by taking one of our ports as an example. There
rfmcpr" in Pntrrin, tl,, nnrf nf Wil.
.u.vu.nci, i'v'i. .....w
,'-tnn frni4l ,L r,P,.Cft,.rt p i.t.L-im.. force
j-,- - p - " '
. r . . . -. . . . . . . .. . . i
nun ey luis icsi iu? uiocanue
not reaiiv prevented"
same port, for steamers
. .
'p:'r"S- " r.'
" i-....- r,.- .
,,.,,. ,.' J. .i..,,irt, indue, th IlritUh
"w"Ufc """'V I
fl..... a enn t atcuranrp jw w i i i
will
the painful impressions hat would
language, if left unexplained.
result from
its
Frr.m tli fiirPnnnt'.rfmfirK! TOO Will perCCITe ttial
- - - -- -0 n - "...
rin? nearly two rears of struggle in which every
energy of our country has been evoked for maintaining
verv exiitence. the neutral natiens ol r.urope nave
pursued policy which nominally impartial has been
racticallv most favorable to our enemies ana most
detrimental to us.
The exercise of the neutral right or refusing
entrr
into their port to nrize taken br both hclligrreots,
was emiaeFBTlv hurtful to the tWeder.cr. It was'
w .in eilil.iruii iiuiiiui v. ..v. .
sternlv asserted ami maintained
The exercise of the neutral right of commerce with
"ht-!li(TPrnt arhoe norts are not blockade.. ,
fuels
sufficient reallv to prevent access to them, would have ;
',' . 1 .t.. 1 - : . . 1 it .
7oZ TiT'ini "abaXned. '
The Jutr of nentral States to receive with cordiality
Vin. ro.,pri anr naw confederal on that
r.r ..wj.ti r .
inaepeadent Utes m.j diss Por.". u,", "f lw
Clear tO aCmit Or aeniai, UUl its Musipuruum 4i ,
emim-mlv henefieial to the United States and detri-
- . - - . . j !
mental to tbe. conieaeracy. -r.puDeu.-
pu7po to pon out '
tions of Enrope , i has ?"P'
aiSlinCl V IDAl IDIE uuiciuiuiui urao uu tuiu iia;ni IO
- declared their nentralitv. It
. . . . nor deeire morer. The eomolaint !
ther expect nor desire more: The complaint
. ...u rJ.t .7 7 I
is tbti me neuiniuj "u 'f nomina. laan .
re.t and that reco-nixed nealral rieht. have been al- i
T! . t n. . . . . . 1
. , ,, , j' .1 I Ills m rru i i ' u. i cu v mu m.i ut, iiu-h. i. g . - - - - - -- -
by th blockading fleet to the ' -..m-w-,. ,., i.,.i. ,r ,V- 1- of an unwillingness n the ,rt of thii people M aub.
are continually arriving and ; 0'te Mlbj.lcd lo tlte despotism ihat now reiJn. ! io rcces-ary far ihe sucee,, r.f ih.tr
ternately asserted and waived in such manner as
to
I against a course of policT so injurious to our interests
' mf?ht be mscontrBd into an appeal for aid. Une4ual
" !u'r enemies" V DiVrfaiIab,e '"0r.
t 1 oourcnem,es we were conscious of power? of resist-
1 . in rlatinh t -wi. p a
uu.u-o cuuiuug, nu
our remonstrances were, therefore peculiarly liable to
be misunderstood. Proudly self-reliant, the Confed-
: , .c !?owin fu" well the character of the contest in
,:;"; " I"., J r..e.u ir.ir
soldiers, the superior skill of its Generals, and, above
. - . , , .
ail, lit Hie justice Of Its cause. Ml nn haci! in annual
r : . . -- - r 1
ror me mHintenance of its richis tr niln-r ArthK- M
. 1 . . . . . C - - r
ana it ocean and tiaa roni nmJ , . ... t- ...:.u ii. '
us cause. Tins confidence as been so ass-ired that
... i . i i i . .
, nve never yieiaea 10 aespouuency underdefeat,
recorded. It is well that those who are to follow us
should understand the 'full nature and character of the
tremendous conflict in which tlie blood of- onr people
has been poured out like water, And in which they have
resisted unaided the shock of hosts which would Lave
sufficed to overthrow many of the poweis which, by
their hesitation in according our rights as an indepen
dent nation, imply doubt of our ability to maintain our
national existence. It 111 uy be, too, that if in future
times unfriendly discussions not now anticipated shall
unfortunately arise between this Confederacy and sonic
European power, the recollection of our forbearance
under the grievances which I have enumerated, may
be evoked with happy influence in preventing any seri
ous disturbance of peaceful relations.
It would not be proper to close my remarks on the
subject "of our foreign relations without adverting to
the fact tnat the correspondence between the Cabinets
of France, Great Britain and Russia, recently publish
ed, indicates a grntifyincr advance in the appreciation
by those governments of the true interirjts of mankini
as involved in the war on this continent. It is Vi the
enlihteued ruler of the French nation that the public
fcflUig of Europe is indebted for the official exhibition
of its sympathy for the sufferings endured by this peo
ple with so much heroism, of its horror at the nwful
carnage with which the progress of the war has been
marked and of its desire for a speedy peace. The clear
and direct intimation contained in the language of the
French note, that our ability to maintain our indepen
dence has been fully established, was not controverted
by the answer of either of the Cabinets to which it w as
addressed. It is indeed difficult to conceive a just
ground for a longer delay on this subject after reading
the following statement of fuels contained in ih- Uf .
ter emanating from the minister of his Imperral Majes
ty: "There lias been established, from the very begin
ing of this war, an equilibrium of forces between the
belligerents, which has since been almost constantly
maintained, and, after the spilling of much blood, they
are to-day in this respect, iu a situation whi- li hag not
sensibly changed. Nothing authorises the prevision
that more decisive military operations will shortly oc
qur. According to the last advices received in Europe,
the two armies were, on the contrary, in condition
which permitted neither to hope within a short deity
advantages sufficiently marked to turn the balance de
finitively, and to accelerate the conclusion of peace."
As this government ha3 never professed the intention
of conquering the United States, but has simply asser
ted its ability to defend itself against being conquered
by that power, we may safely conclude that the claims
of this Confederacy to its just place in the family of
nations cannot long be withheld, after so frauk and
formal un admission .of its capacity to cope, on equal
terms, with its aggressive foes, and to maintain itsell
against their attempts to obtain decisive results
by arms.
It is my painful duty again to inform you of the
renewed examples of every conceivable atrocity com
mitted by the armed forces of the United States, at
different points within the Confederacy, and which
must stamp indellible infamy not only on the perpetra
tors, but on their superiors, who, having the powr to
check these outrages on humanity, numerous and well
authenticated as they have been, have not yet, inn sin
gle instance of which I am aware, inflicted puauhment
on the wrong-doers. Since my last communication to
you, one Gen McNeil murdered rcren prisoners of war
in cold blood, and the demand for his punishment has
remained unsatisfied. The government of the United
States, after promising examination and explanation in
relation to the charges made ogainst Gen Uerj F Jlut
ler. has, by iu subsequent silence, after repeated ef
forts on tny part to obtain some answer on the subject,
not Only admitted his guilt, but sanctioned it by acqui
escence, and I have accordingly branded this criminal
as nn outlaw and directed his execution in expiation
of his crimes if he should fall into the hands of any of
our forces. Recently I have received apparently au
thentic intelligence of another General by the name of
Midroy, who has issued orders in Western Virginia for
the payment of money to him by the inhabitants, ac
companied by the most savage threats of shooting ev
lilMllllli lUSI'HI UllUIIUjf lllj? HV113V, Ull'l IMHrtllU-
ing similar atrocities again,! nfv of our citizens who
shall fail to betrav their eountrv hr ri vine him nromr.t
ery recusant, beside burning hii? house; and threaten
notice of the app
ubjc li also I
- ---..---
roncb of nfij or oar forcer'; nn! this
hfti fxiiliiiiititvfl in the iiitrlor mili
; di.annrtiou of .he
' til V 1X !1 T II lift 1 I lM til
taiy authorities of the United States, with but fainf
f act Hnmnnity shuti
' 1 - - - 1 " .
ou ot the ,
nmnnitv shnddera at :he antMin atroeitie.
j which are being daily multiplied under the sanction of.
those w ho have obtained tempo.-arv poesessioa .f '
Power in ihe United States and who a're fast mftkInjr
' " 0,ue u D-mf 'J-ord of reproach among
- -1 : ,i ..... v . , a-.. . i. ..,. i i..f..h...;..
ciuiuvu .. v cnu inc iii iiiuniwimu i
willingacquiescence
m,,ft necessarily exist among our enemies very many,,
..erhans a majority, whose humanity recoils from a'.
a - - -
participation in snrh atrocities, bnt who cannot be
1 .11 i. m ...;i.i... i.ii. . i 1 r . . 1. 1 - .
J Of IU IKHIJ jjuiuir.- nuns t-i ii.i. llllg llicir TUQUnO. I
uace linoui n f uun rryrrrnon.
The public journals of the North bare been received,
containing a proclamation dated on the first day of
! the present month, signed by the President of the
ib i-uiiiiiw. ...r is . . ,. , , , , . i . i ces t.n tlieir w icel fli'!:io zv itnsl us. Ihe surtslicn
. BobrMIed license in the city -of Washington, a . defense is an impotailon on their pairmifm that few
iu Us conduct ol the war. There ot nn(iwtu i mw, inn tdh nqii w jqmiT,
Unite- States, in which he orders and declares all ' to the delay allowed lr funding tue now isaued prior
slaves w ithli ten of the States of the Confederacy to be to the 1st December, lt;2. will, io tbe opinion of tbe
free, except su:h a? are found within certain districts Serretary, have the rflVct to witliJrew from elrfula
now occupied in part by .he armed forces of tbe enemy. lion nearlr the entire earn tsiied preious lo the lest
, e may well leave it to the instincts of that common J
5 hnmauity which a beneficent Creator ha. implanied iu ;
... -.. "... .r
m,r.!i i..r.;t ..k.:...: r.u.. -
li hrti.u nf nur MM....... r .ii .nnr;.. . r,-w
judgment on a measure by which several millioos of i
human beings of an inferior race, peaceful and eon- '
tented laborers in their sphere, are doomed to exter-
minatinn urK;t t ii,. ihr in ffironnrftf
to a general assassination of their master, by the ia- j
sidious recommendation - to abstain from violence on, .
less in necessary self-defence. Uur own oetestai.on
-r .u... ...s ii.. mtt ,,crabJ ;
inD" 7 u" "V'Z"1 l.V" .
uniiirv icwrucu m iu v. - -.
pered with profound contempt for tbe Impotent rage
j!..i r. I tkA mrtinn .r
,v ulCi"- V " SV 7.1 Z. Z iT..:
ex cution I eo .t ffiU l
. r A(im Tn9 A mtt nfW
iuii "" " J j ' "
conr.e more expedient, deliver to tbe several State i
authoriiies all commissioned - officers cf the United '
C'.... .(.a wtttw h.r..rir K. Mhlr.4 tm An f..... I '
m - - w-. . " ,
any of the State, embraced in the proclamation, that .
. . .. .
crlnit
. Tha
unwUIingr
crimes and
honiet
rarou
In itf political aipect this meainre pofeei g real
! significance, and to it in tbjs light, I Invite your at-
! C o our whole people tUa.eoa.plet.
.and crown oe proof of the trua aatora of tha desims
L.r .u .tt.i. vv .. Qfsigns
! vi iut purvj wttira etvTaieu iQ power we preteai oe-
cupant of the PrNLUtul bait at rk?un an
which sonpbf to conceal lis purposes by evcrr varlrte
i of artful device, and by the perRdioas use of 'the most
r. -nu n Prvc pieages on every possible oc
eiiract, to this connection, aa a ilnali
exaniTil. thr f..llAtrinr ,tjr.i:n . .1 . t. t. ii...
1 , .-. wv.x-iuh ni.u ur 1 mi urn 1
; Lincoln. nmlp mnl
1 J w wi vlll aa tUIII
M nc'iitrat of th rn!t..i ssi.t.. j.u i . .
f . D - " VM... u MI-KI VU tMV IIU 44 HIlD, 10 0.1
"Apprehension seems to exist among the people of
the Southern States, that by the accession of a Rcpub
lican Administration, their piopcrtjr and their peace
and personal security are to be endangered. There
has never beeu any reasonable cause of such epprehen
hiotu. Indeed, the most ample eridence to the contra
ry has al! the w hile existed, and been open to their in
spection. It in found in nearly all the published
speeches of him who now addresses you. I do bat
quote from one of those speeches when I declare that
I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere
with the institution of slavery ia the States where it
existi. 1 believe I have no lawful right to do so; and
I have no inclination to do so. Those who nominated
and elected me, did 10 with full knowledge that I had
made this and many similar declarations, and kaJ
never recanted them. Aud, more than this, tbaj
placed in the platform for my acceptance, and a law
to themselves and to ine, the clear and emphatic no.
lut'on which 1 now read:
"'Rrtolfd, That the maintenance in iolt of the
rights of the States, and especially the right of earh
State to order and control its own domestic institu
tions according to its own judgment exclusively, is es
sential to that balance of powers on which ihe'pcrftr.
tion and endurance of our political fabric depend : ami
w e deuounce the lawless iurasion by armed force f
the soil .of any State.or Territory, no matter uudar
what pretextas among the grate.t crimes-'"
Nor was thi declaration of the want of pner or
disposition to interfere with our fecial system conflucd
to a state of peace. Itoth before and afltrthe actual
commencement of hotililie, ilia President of the
United Stales repeated in formal official rommunica.
tion to the Cabinets of Great Itrilain aud France, that
he wax utterly without constitutional power to do t,he
act w hich he has jut committed, aud that 111 no pus
?ible event, whether thcWresion of these States re
sulted in the eslablishuieut of a separute Coufelcraey
ur iu the restoration of the Union, was there any au thority
by virtue of which he could eitl.ur reitore a
diiuflVcud State to the Union by Iwtce of arms or maVv
any change in any of its lutitutions. I rtfer jrci!
ly lor verification of this asrrtlon, to the despatches
addressed by the Secretary of State of the U. S. under
the Olrett'on ot the rresnfeiit, to the Miuitersof th
U. S. ut Londou and Paris, under date of loth and 2 I
of April, If 01.
The people of this Confederacy then cannot fail !
receiv. this I'roi Lunation as the fullest vindication of
their own sagacity in foreseeing thr usea lo which th
dominant party ii: the United States intended from tlie
beginning to apply their power, nor can they cease 15
remember, with devout thankfulness, that it is to thrlr
ov-11 vigilance in refuting the Grit stealthy progress f
approaching despotism, that their escape, from conse
quences now Kpparcnl to the nmit skeptical. This
proclamation will hate auother salutary effect in calm
ing the fears of those who have constantly evinced the
apprehension that this war might end by oorne recon
struction of the old Union, or some renewal of close
political relations with the L. Sutes. Thete fears hava
never been shared by me, nor have I ever been able 'to
perceive on what basis they could rest, liut the pioc
lamation affords the fullest guarantee of the inipoari.
Liliy of such a result: it bus established a statu of
things which cmu lend to but one Cf three possible
consequences; the extermination of the slaves, the ti
ile of the whole w hite population from the Confedera
cy, or absolute and total separation of thete Statt s from
the United SUtes.
Tlds proclamation is iWio an authentic statement by
the gov cm tne ui of the United States of itainihiiity I
snbjngate the South by force of arun, and a u h
most be accepted by neutral nations, which tan no
Iwuger find any justification in withholding onr Jut
claims to formal recognition. It ia ao iu effect n
intimation to the people of the Morlh that they mut
submit to a separation, now become inevitable, lor that
people are too acute not to understand that a restora
tion of the Ituioe Las been rendered fmrcr imposiib!
by the adoption of si measure whtrb, from its very
nature, neither admits of retraction uor can ro-eilil
with union.
Among the subjects to which your attention will be
specially drvoUd durirg the preient session, you wilt
no doubt deem the adoption of some comprehensive
system of finance as being of paramount Importance.
The increasing public debt, the great auf mentation la
the volume of the currency with its necessary concomi
tant of extravagant pricavt for all articles o: r
01 extravagant pricavt lor all articles o: consutap -
tion, tho want of revenue from a taxation adequate M
aupjxirt the public credit, all unite in ftdmoniihinf
ihat energetic aud wi legislation alone can prevent
aerious eoibarrassrnent in our monetary affcire. It ie
1 ... ., . , , , - . ...
j mJ f ormc ,,,n lbt Pc"l'l ot h I
i Mfft V"tion on a scale adequate to the ma.e-
tenance of the public credit and the support cf t' t r
pffvccuuirnt. Wliru earn family sending forh Its
V"""J' wnr ,w "posr jo camp am
V4 'here be to d.,U the
." '"-
'luposmon to oevoie. a nine ti us income ana more,
if more be '-rJ to provide flu guternment with
n'nnt for. the coiafort of its deader? If
o'.r enemies submit to a. excise on every eommo!.ty
"7 produce eoaio the du.ly presence of h tac
L-iiurr. tii-.u uv ii.nii yiiiinc iuai iu mill in iur.
- . . . . ... .
The legUUtio. of your
last ifSivn iotended M
hasten the funding of outstanding Treasury oU-s '-s
proved beneficial as shown by tb .returns annexed to
1 .t c . .r . 1 . . T . . .. ti . .
lllC repOtl OI lll" OfCirnrj VI 1 11 ai."Mij. u It
. was neitner SUinciiniiy proiupi nor iHr-rcaruiug 10
meet the full eHent of ihe evil. The passage of some
I enactment, earning still further Ihe policy of that law
; by fixing a limitation not later than the 1 it July nest
named date. 11 to mia v aaaeu m revenue irom
",m"
adcqoat. l.x.l.oa. lid . negot.alion of bond. gK,:
....rLiiriiniiililr r m i.k.r.l Ni.i.i aa fcaa 1
tied proportionately or tue several Btates ae hit
already been generously proposed br some of them in
enaction." ..wi.-.mii; F"'. iiiw.uo.,0.
1 mil iuii iw uvr ugiucii rrn"iru w "nn
ha we nau see onr x
satisfactory condition.
nr circulation relieved of the
redundancy now prodoetivo of so m.oy taiscbiefs; aoJ
our credit placed on sneh a bail. W reliete 01 .'roa,
n.ty m.n 10 our r
cntion of the war.
I. t, .r .1... 5,. rfoa. or" debt wilt be lare:
1 , . . . ...ri Haiih th
bnt it will be due to own people, and neitbef the
intMMi mr thtiihiltl win ns eiporrea OlfiaDl
iLZZZiZu. ofia. for tbeir benefiL (Tn
' the retom of pe.ee the nn.oli wealU, wbicl
p, Ittf fr0m ovf f0il will render the burthen of
bich will
teta-
i f . ...
lion far Irs. oaetoae baa I. now gapposed, PclaHy
If we Uke let comidemion -wet wo snaii i3n i
free from: ibe Urge and steady dr-t ef or aobjtseee
- " 1bK-,, i," .1. i,N tj,M afty,,
to which ee were lobeted ia toe late uatoa trjf.ug
mey may oe aeait wliu in accordance with the laws of
1
i
i,
t
t
it I
I
r
I
i
,1
1!