Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-22
HE SECRETARY OF STATE TO MINISTER DAYro,
DEPARTMENT ON STATE, !
Washington, June, II, 1861.


SIR-Eyery instruction which this govern
ment has given to its representatives abroad,
since the recent change of the administra
ton took place, has expressed our profound
anxiety lest the disloyal citizens who are
engaged in an attempt to overthrow the
Union should obtain aid and assistance from
foreign nations, either in the form of recog-
milton Of their pretended sovereignty or in
some other and more qualified or guarded
msnner. Every instruction has expressed
our full belief that, without such aid and as
sistance the instruction would speedily come
to an end while any advantage that it could
derive from such aid or assistance could serve
no other purpose than to protract the exist
ing struggle and aggrsVste the evils it is in
flicting on our country and on foreign and
friendly nations. Every instruction bears
evidence of an earnest soiicitude to avoid
even an appearance OF menace or of want
of comfy towards foreign Powers but, st
the same time, it has emphaticslly snnounc-
ed, as is DOW seen 10 have been necessary,
our purpose not to sllow any one Of them 81
expect To remain in friendship with Us il L
should. with whatever motive, practically
render such aid or assistance to the insur-
gents. We have intended not 20 leave it
doubtful that g concession uf sovereignty to
the insurgents, though it should be indirect
and unofficial, or though it should be- quail
er partial rights, would be regarded as in
consistent with the relations due to US by
friendly nations. Nor has it been left az all
uncertain that we shall, in every event, IN
sist, thai these United States must be co
sideEed aud dealt with now, as heretofore, by
such nations as exclusively sovereign for all
purposes whatsoever within the Territories
over which the constitution has been extend
ed. On the other hand, W. have not at all
times been unmiCdful of the peculiar cir
cumssances which might excite apprehsn-
sions on the part OF commercial nations tor
the safety of their subjects and their proper
ty in the conflicts which might occur a. sea
as we'll as on land between the forces OF She
United States and those OF the insurgents.
The United States have never oisclaimed
the employment of letters of marque as a
means of maritime war. The Insurgents
early announced their Intention to commits
sion privateers. We knew that friendly na-
lions would be anxious for guarantees Of
safety from Injury from that form OF depre-
dation upon the national commerce. We
knew also that such nations would desire TO
be informed whether their flags should be re-
garded as protecting goods, not contraband
Of war, OF disloyal citizens, found under them,
and whesher the goods, not contraban1, OF
subjects Of such nations would be safe from
confiscatioD wb en- found in vessels of disloyal
citizens OF the United States. This admins
tration. free from some OF the complications
of those which have preceded it, promptly
took up the declaration of the Congress OF
Paris, just at the point where they had been
suspended by President Buchanan. We found
it just and humane in itself, as far as ii goes,
and that it had only failed TO be accepted by
the United States because foreign nations
had refused 10 accept an additional principle
proposed by this government, yet more jast
and humane than any which It does contain.
namely, that the property of privats citizens,
not contraband, should be exempted from
confscation Ia maritime war. While still
ailling and DESTROYS 10 have that further