Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-11-15

war. Tau removed Tie IDEA LQal OIL an Out-
break in the South the slaves would rise and
fight for their liberty. Not only was this not
the case, bnt the slaves might no doubt be re.
lied upon as soldiers in defence of the South.
a to the result of thu war he would say
nothing. but ali experience was against the
successful sutjugntion by sins Of a deter
mined and free people; AID when they looked
AT the e;,ormous extent Of the North Ameri-
can continent he thnnght'they would DO bound
to say thar, in ali human probability, the
Union could hot he much longer maintained,
Their duty, however, must be 10 stand by and
watch, sympa:hizu;e with what was good and
right, bat CAREFUL; avoidi!.g being drawn into
arg lnlerisrcra. either on one side or the other.
II tic South should establish their power as q
separate Coniclaracy, they must recognize il,
but let them Gut anticipate such an event, and
sacrifice their good faith and national honor
BY breaking the blockade, as slime people were
recommending"
Earl RUSSELL ON TUE AIgslCAX BLOCKADE.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Sept. u, 1861.
Sir:-l an, directed by Earl Russell to &C
quaint ynn That the questions raised by your
letters OF the 29th Of August and 4th Of Sep.
tcinber were OF considerable Importance, and
rendered it necessary for his lordship TO coui.
munlcate With law officers Of the crown preVi.
ouSlY TO answering your letters.
fou slated in your ir:tsr Of the 2yth OF Ar
gust that, in conjunction with other merchants,
you contemplated fitting out q number Of yes
sells for The purpose OF trading with the port
OF New Orleans and other ports Of the United
States Of America, and that looking to the un
disturbed state Of friendly relations between
her Msjrsty and The United States, you appre.
hend that the British ships had = right, under
the Law of nations, iiprE The strict principle o.
reciprocity 10 cutter into and depart from the
ports ard harbors Of HE United States.
You say that yuu AJAX and hrpc thas these
vessels will he protected hy her Majestyi
cruisers; bul shat if such protection, from
reasons Of State policy. should be withheld,
yon Will be prepared To defend yourselves ns
best you rusy in the pursuit Of ynur Legitimate
trade, and ;!..t :ai parties hirdering you in
the SANE ST.! b"crme responsible Tor the con
sequences.
III your letter ci Lic II, Of September. yen
say Tint ccii!.ndlng, as 7or do. that the block
:de 0f CERTAIN ports CT lie United States a.
aga,nst the ships Of This country IS an infringe
inert OF intcrnatio:al law ugaipry and unsvsil-
lj.S, JuIl CIIllli iisE III blEtS.'1il ~ 70 nAlJCoIJ =
Government for the mercantile expedition in
question. and at the sault time Lord Russell )
IInr m ssinn To defend Itself ii casg of need.
Understandings. Cr"tu the tenor Of your let
telS, that the lnTiS ~ which v"nr Vessels ara
10 proceed ave ports which are or may BE-
hIuriadrd by Tie laval iUiccS OF the United
STATES, Lord kuss:ii directs me To warn yuu o!
thu scrio:lS cIrS' qlcncts which the measures,
cnT,leInt lltrd ~ stated in crur ~lrt:-rs, will e"-
tail OF all c.Inc=?ach therein, anal - ininrin you
that her Maiae:Y'; Government will not afford
illa slightest v:nt.c!;ul Or cui!utrnaGre 10 The
pr"i"r:cI rntcrpr.*r .
I'll. Un.tcd Sairs AMI tn - called CJEi,a!.
crate Status ar. engaged in u civii wa", and !lrr
MnjoS'y's Gnm rnmcnt has rec 'srsizHd that
state If Things, and has taken rp L rc"".ira 81
neutrality between he c"ri,:'h"s i:arrrS.~~
Lmirr THESE circumstances, i! al, BtI!s.
ship. b,!ng Il n:i:' rai. Knowingly attempts to
break an r!, c'i"r Lluch aGr, Sir II liable to
raplIrc and cund m:!aiirn. If such ship de-
tends herself ~ lrr:c agaIl!St a national vessel
cninrc!ng such biGci;a!r, such defence Is a
breach VI the l..T ri %ra,inns, snd will expose
The Snj,, and cargo 10 condemnation IS a prIZ.,
and Ih,ric pcr,Gno T::o Commit the ac, TO per.
soral responsibility and severe treatment 81.
cgrdinG tu Il { ,:r y! war, the act Of such per.
surs i,e.ng considered by The laT and usage vi
na,irf:; As one nG u~ninsuhatle hostility.
am 10 state that Inc general raIe as to ira
,iipg by ~n:us;ais in time OF var s7uh teLligsr
enl. is that they may freely trade but ,iiat
They Of: bound tn respect every effective
t.i" kAde, aud that ii they carry c;lrtrabaild Of
war 10 either be!!i.erenis, they 'o 80 1T the
risk Of capture Hrti condemnation hY the
other, il discovers.
am, sir, yuur H;nat nhedient,
Humble s~cr"arr.
f.. UAYMOHE.