Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-11
The issue OF War Accepted-Letters of
Margue and RepriSal.

In the Confederate Congress- on Monday, 9th inst,
the following act was passed in secret session, and
secrecy removed:
An Act recognizing the existence of war between the United
the Confederate States and concerning Letters oil
Marque, Prizes, and Prize Goods
WHEREAS The earnest efforts made by this Gov
ernmeIt 10 establish friendly relations between the
Government of the United States and the Cenfeder-
ate States and to settle all questions OF disagreement
between the two Governments upon principles OF
right instice equity and good faith, have proved I'M
avaiing by reason of the refusal of the Government
of the United States to hold intercourse with the
Commissioners appointed by this Government tor the
purposes aforesaid to listen toany proposal they
had to make for the peaceful solution OF all causes
of difficulty between the two Governments: and,
whereas the President of the nited States of Amer
lea has issued his Proclamation making requsltlon
upon the States of the American Union for Io,OUO
men, for the purpose as therein indicated, OF cap
turing forts and other strOngholds within the Jurls
dicton of and belonging to the Confederate States
of America and has detailed naval ornaments
upon the coast of the Confederate States OF
America, and raised. organized and equipped
n large military force to execute the purpose
aforesaid. and has issued his other proclamation
announcing his purpose to set on loot a blockade
F tbe norris the Confederate States: and whereas
the State of Virginia has seeded from the Federal
Union and entered into convention OF alilance Oh
fensive and defensive, with the Confederate states
and has adopted the provisional CONSTITUTION OF the
said
olins. Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri
have refused and it is believed that the State OF
delaware and the inhabitants of the Territories OF
Arizonia and New Mexico, and the Indian Territory
Sontb of Kansas. will refuse TO cooperate with the
Government of the United States in these acts of
bostIites and wanton aggression, which are plainly
intended to overawe Cypress, and finally su6Iugate
the people of the Confederate States and whereas
bv the acts and means aforesaid war exists between
the Confederate States and the Government OF the
United States and the States and Territories there
of, except the States of Maryland, North Carolina
Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas Missouri and Della
ware and the Territories of Arizona and New
Mexico and the Indian Territory South OF Kansas ::
therefore,
SEC l. The Congress Of the Confederate States Of
America do enact that the President Jf the Conede
rate States is hereby authorized to use the whole
land and naval force of the Confederate States TO
meet the war thus commenced, aud to issue to pri-
vate armed vessels commissions or letters OF marque
and general reprsa In such forms as he shall think
proper. under the seal of the Confederate Stats
soainst the vessels goods and effects of the govern
ment of the United States, and of the citizens or
;nhabltants of the States and Territories thereof
axcent the States and Territories herein before
named: Provided however, that property OF the
enemy unless it be contraband OF war; laden on