Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-17

-S1ee NASHVILLE, Sept. I4th, 1861.
COL s. R. CoCKRnL Gear ST. II am informed
that you have accepted the Office rendered yousby
the Judge of the District Court of the Confederate
States, under the coniseation bill.
have many friends who woald be pleased to
learn your views, on the policy Of the Government
in carrying into effect this recent and to US, novel
law. 1 am, very truly yours, MERcHASr.
NASHVILLE Sept 18th 1861.
Dear Sir: In reply to your communication of yes
terday state readily, the outline of policy that
will best accomplish the object Of the Government
in my opinion / am however an Agent, subject to
the control of the COurt-stilI derive my inclina-
tons from the spirit of the Law.
The Northern States, are Waging fanstical, and
vindictiFe war on the Southern States by confsca-
tons and desolatons on our borders, heavy losses
have been already sustained by citizens others
will be.
II is the duty of our Government to indemnify
her own citizens though unwilling to adopt such a
remedy. no other course was left after the action
Of the Northern Government ~ ~ - ".
Those engaged In supporting and maintaining this
Var against have property, rea. and personal,
Debts rights, and franchises, in the Confederate
Staes these, the law directs shall be subject to the
control of the Court and its officers for the purposes
contemplated. < I.il 5l1s ,E ta te
In carrying into effect this provision it is not de-
signed to oppose debtors policy that establishes
the fact that the debtors recognize the Confederate
States. as creditors and not alien enemies - EN-.
bracing time that accords with reasonable ability
to pay, will best accomplish this end. Securities
from merchants may well consist of notes on solvent
customers to be paid in reasonable inslalmens and
such other facilities as viii make their country
debts available in their protection The debts will
be payable in the notes of the Government and not
in metal as at present War suspends the right of
"alien enemies" to their debts, but this is svspen
sion only not payment The interest of the debtors
is promoted by the plan and policy above referred
to- Liabilities should not be forgotten; this will
keep them in a train of Liquidation, and with as
little Inconvenience to debtors as the object and
spirit of the law will admit
Commercial credit is naturally sensitive, and a
faithful and effective discharge of duty does not re-
qre that inventories Of liabilities reported by bust
men, should be left open to the gaze Of the pub
lie. will that strict pr0priey is observed on this
point Reports required under the law will contain
correct aggregates and not names. A competent con
dential clerk will keep under key reports of liab
ties. settlement in full in part with the Confede-
rate States, will be adischarge pro tanto and evil
dence will be put in the hands of the debtors of this
fact, and preserved upon the books to be kept and
further the Government will do whatever is neces.
sary by Treaty, when peace comes, to protect in
full its own citizens, who thus obey her laws. Those
who refuse fail to comply with the requirements
Of the act leave themselves subject to the process
of the courts, aud the penalties declared for delin
quencies.
The law coudems all property, credits and rights,
in partnership, or not-except Confederate end
State Bonds. 1t applies to all persons in the Free
States, and not to Slave States except such persons
as hold Commissions civil OF military, under the
LINCOLN Government, or such as are engaged in
aiding and abetting that Government in its wanton
and mad attempt to subjugate the South. When
that day comes, we shall not need law or courts /;
for then her brave sons with their fathers, viii all
sleepNn death on her countless battlehelds.
Ny first duty is to get information upon the sub
ject Of debts dates when due and amounts and also
description of property. .sg 8. 70 Lr
am very respectfully yours,
ss S. R. COcKRrt1-