Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-04
ON EUROPE.
ENGLAND AND THE SOUTH.
FAMILIAR VIEWS OF ENGLISH MERCHANTS.
Extract OF a letter dated
LIVERPOOL, May 10, 1s6.

W q ASekS NnISN
LIVERPOOL, May 10, 1861.
Il have to thank you for your note Of the
10th ult, which l read with great interest,"
and congratulate you on the success 80 far at
tending the Confederate States / hope the
next steamer will advise that the North have
been out-genera!ed, and that the line Of COM
Iaunication between Annapolis and Washing
Ion is again interrupted, and thus bring the
Capital into your hands; if not, Virginia will
suffer, and perhaps Richmond may fall into the
Northern grasp. The command Of the sea,
Fort Monroe, and Washington, are grand bases
of operations. On this side We want to see
peace, and q peaceful separation. No one looks
for reunion as possible; therefore, the unani-
nous feeling is, let co1nmon sense only pre-
veil, and there need be no more fighting. Eng
land has recognized you as a POWER, as having
authority to man war vessels, and her nav.
will respect them. This is the forerunRer Of
unconditional recognition. Are you satisfied
that my predictions were correct? / expect
TO see the course England has taken raise a
storm OF indignation at the North, but we look
to justice aud right and not revenge, urged
on by fsnaticism."
Extract Of a letter listed
LIVERPOOL, May II, 1861.
".All with US look forward, with intense Gu
riositv, to the future political news from your
side, and to the struggle which the South has
undertaken for q distinct nationality. We dread
q long prouacted warfare, embittered by the
o%uarrels of men Of many sentiments, lately
brothers, and Springing from a common origin.
That the South cannot be coerced is the grow
ing opinion on this side; but the defence may
be carried on at a fearful cost; and it is this
terrible uncertainty that fills us with anxiety,
and which gave you the sympathy of our PEG.
pie, and growing more in you favor every
day"
Slaughter OF 1000 Persons In Africa.
One OF the native missionaries, who wit.
messed the ''grand custom" Of the King of d.
honey, says that more than 1000 male human
beings were slaughtered, and about as many
females and young children, besides norm
numbers Of deer, turkey buzzards, and other
been productive of evil. The West African
Herald says:-"We learn that besides the ter
rible sacrifice of human life caused BY the Da.
homan ''grand CUSTOM" it has also had the
effect OF, in a great measure, putting a stop to
trade in that part of the country. All the
principal people have been compelled to repair
to the capital (Abomey) and remain there to
witness this custom. In Wydah we understand
there were, when our informant left that town,
few people but women and slaves. The palm
nuts were rotting on the trees; and
agriculture were languishing previously.
Among the King of Dahomey's army there
is a troop called the Amazon Guards. The
West African Herald thus describes them
tine Amazon Guards, as they have sometimes
been STYLED, is the most extraordinary troop
that we have ever heard or read Of. They are
5000 in number, all females, and display such
a degree of ~ferocious blood.thirstiness and har-
dihood as to bear q greater resemblance to a
host Of mad tigresses than to human creatures.
They utterly despise death; they show no
mercy to any living being in war; they are
mad after blood, and seem not to know what
fear means"
They are, in fact, e troop Of devils, so to
speak, whose hideous wildness of manner, and
the savage madness Of whose demeanor, in
times Of excitement is SO appalling and inhu-
msn as to have led many we'll judging
persons to opiRe that these dreadful creatures
are periodically subjected to the influence of
some species of drug, which has this effect
The dress of the Amazons consists Of o pair
OF loose trousers and upper garment, covering
the breast. and q cap. They are armed with
& gun, knives and daggcrs; some have blum
derbusses, others long elephant guns, while the
remainder carry the ordinary musket In
their military exercises they display good dis
cipliue, as we'll as wonderful dexterity and
agility.