Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-18

The following extracts from late Washington
letter to the Chicago Tlnis may interest cur read
ers:
Fom lady who came from Richmond under
flag Of truce, and who arrived here 20 day learn
that the ConfedersteE are not 30 much concerned
about our late naval success At Beaufort az We
might suppose. The ground taken by prominent
in the South is this-thit the advantage gained
by the Unonists ia very sght indeed that Beaufort
and the adj AGENT territory cannot be made base
of operations inland, bOth account Of its situs,
ton and of the nature Of the country on all Edas
that the possession Of Beaufort will be OF no AdVan
sge to the Unionsts without the possession Of ether
Savannah or eharlsston and that beth Of thOss
cities well fortified and cannot be captured;
that there Is cotton ct Beaufort or at any other
place within the reach Of the Union army; that the
orders Of the Confederate government, requiring
all cotton to be removed into the inErior and far
away from the seabOard, have been faithfully
obeyed. They also refer TO the fscts that IN
the war of independence the British succeeded
in gaining possession of Boston, Philatelphia
and Yorktown, and large extent Of country yet
that ancestors then only three millions in num-
ber compelled them to eTacUIte thOse cities drO,s
them out Of the country and forced them 10 sur-
render. Time alone can determine whether or not,
these views are correct, and whether thiI cOmpGr-
ison ia applicable.
Months ago 1 expressed the conTistion that the
Government, from motives Of policy, would not
hang s single Southern privateer. I had good
reason to know that such was the determination Of
both the President and Secretary Of State. Sub
Sequeuty events have only stronghold that deter
minEtion. The whole civilized World would re-
gard any other course as barbsrous in the highest
degree. Judge Grier of Philadelphia, well express
ed the popular feeling onthe subject when he refus
ed to try for their lives ast week. soma privateers
who were brought before him. He said it Was
mOckery to do so to prisoners captured on sea,
while prisoners captured on the land were either
exchanged, or released, on the administration Of =
simple oath, and that there was no justice in max
ing such q distinction. They both fought under the
same authority and one were as much entitled to be
regarded As prisoners Of war as the other. IL il
not probable, therefore, that the COnfederates will
execute their threat Of hanging some Of our chief
men in retaliation.
A great deal has been said latdly about arrange
ments being made for q regular exchange Of priso-
ners. Be assured that no such arrangements are
contemplated by the administration. The ground
first taken the subject BY the administration will
be maintained TO the cod Of the war. The reasons
which induced the administration to take the ErOand
still exist in full force. The administration regards
the Confederztss simply a. rebels and traitors and
the war not war, bus simply instruction. Hold
ing this view, of course they can make no terms
with rebels and traitors. say nothing Of the stu
pidity of such views. only say they are enter.
tanned and control the actiOn Of the governmsnt.-
Mr.. Cameron believe, dissents from them in toto.
If the matter was left in the hands Of Gen McCsl-
Ian he would neither eat nor sleep until be had pro-
mulgsted an order providing for an immediate sx,
change of all prisoners, rank Tor rank Il may be,
after all that the responsibility will be shufl ID Of
on to him.