New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-29
t.varrRRs or mARauE.

1t appears quite clear that the privateers.
men, Sailing under lawful letters of marque and
reprtsal granted by the Government of the Con
Tolerate States, will have the free use and pro
lection Of European ports into which they may
see proper to convey their prizes. The gene
raj tone and tenor of the English Journals, care
fully analysed as well the discussions IN faflia
ment, plainly indicate that privateering will be
held n legitimate mode OF warfare, as we'll as that
tile Southern Confederacy VIII be recognized as
an independent Government by the leading Euro
pean powers within a very brief period of time.
In reply to question in Parliament respecting
blockades and the rights Of begerents, lord John
Russell said that the law officers of the crown had
been consulted, and that the Queens Government
had "come to the opinion that the Southern Con-
federacy Of America, according to hose principles
aohich seem to be Just principles mast be treated as
a beligerent.'' This is an implied recognition Of
the Confederate Government, by the Government
of Great Britain; and, at the same time, it abso-
lutely conveys the idea that we are entitled to all
the rights of civilized warfare. Should, therefore,
the Administration of Lincoln attempt to carry out
its brutal threat, and hang any of privateers-
men that may fall into their hands, all Christendom
will cry out shame upon the murderers.
The London Times, referring to Lincoln's block
ade, says: g The validity of mere paper block,
AIDES has long since been disowned by every
power and, in order that their cotton supply
should not be cut off, they will be compelled TO
scrunize the Legality of every blockade established
upon the coasts of the seeded States" We opine
that this scrutiny will be terribly strict about the
first of August and believe that Lincoln's blockade
will be declared illegal before the 1st of Septem
Der, and that too, without consultation with the
law officers of the crown. By that time John
Bulls stock of cotton will be almost exhausted,
and it is life and death matter with him to keep
his millions of cotton operatives unstarved well
as employed.
Speaking of the refusal Of the United States
Government, some years ago, to join France and
England in treaty making privateering piracy,
the London Times euttingy observes: eff Amer
lea had then joined to make this proposition an
universal law of nations, privateers would now be
considered pirates, ".and thus concludes:
That proposal having, however, been rejected,
the belligerent parties hold their ancient rights
and the commissions of Mr.. President Dauis are
as good as those of Mr.. President Lincoln. As to
the resolution of the New York merchants to treat
the prvateers of the unrecognized South pirates
ii cannot be maintained. Every jurist must hold
that SO long as Mr. President Davis is President of
Confederacy of Sovereign States, he has the same
right to issue letters of marque which any Chief
Magistrate of a Republic either in North or South
America would have.
The London Times is q very able, sagacous
journal, and usually expresses the views of the
Government on important questions frequently
before the Government acts. We have no doubt,
from the discussions in Parliament, the spirit gen
orally manifested by the English journals, and our
knowledge of the vital interests involved, that the
British Government and people are truthfully re-
presented in the foregoing paragraph. We there
fore conclude, that our Commissioners will be re-
sognzed and our independence acknowledged by
England and France-for both Governments will
probably move together--in less than sixty days.
All good reasons support this proposition, and
none can be arrayed against it,