New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-18
NORTHERN INVESTMENTS IN sECEssIA.


Tie Pjcoyuae (New-Oreans) favors its admir-
ing readers with the following official demonstra-
ton that Northern investments in Southern
Banks. &c, are TO be considered permanent.
In fact the past and impending leyies ON those
Banks for the support Of the rebellion had about
settled that poat already. But read:
Within the past few days says The Pieayune) there
have been transfers of bank and Other stock
owned by Northern parties 20 residents here, not IN the
way of actual sales, bet cover 10 property which
is considered eopardized by the hostile relations exist
ing between thi5 Coniederaey and the Abolition Gov
ernment at Washington ease III point occurred yes
'erday, where party applied TO the Mechanics ana
Traders Bank 10 transfer certain shares OF SOCK to
himself under a power of attorney transmitted from
New-York. Tie President of the Bank, entertaining
serious doubts the prop'iey and Legality OF such
transfer addressed communication to the Attorney
General OF the State soliciting bis opinion IN the prem
ises The of this officer Is conclusive as to the
Illegally of the proceeding He pronounces every me-
gotiation, agreement, contract between person
domicilated within the Confederate States and an alien
enemy, such ar those must be deemed who are doin-
ciled in the United States to be absolutely null and
void No intercourse, other than hostile one, can be
tolerated between the people of the two sections The
remittance of money for any purpose is unlawful and
forbidden. SO far the latter point concerned Con-
gress has provided by special enactment that all pay
ments TO the enemy are prohibited.
In view of the importance of this matter, and to pre-
vent parties hereafter from setting up plea OF igno-
rance in the premises. subjoin copy OF the COM
muucaon OF the AuorDey-General:
ArToRSrY-GEsERAL's OFFICE,
NEw-ORIEASs, June 6, 1861.
SIR: From the note. power Of Attorney, and state
ment OF facts submitted TO me, IT appears that Mr W.
r. Ieverch, citizen Of Louisiana, domi lied In New
Oreans desires 10 transfer to himself thirty shares OF
tie capital stock Of yOnr bank, standing the books
OF the bank in the nane of Henry s. Leverich, per-
OF Attorney under which Mr.. W. T.. Leverich denires
TO make tie proposed transfer was executed III New
York on the DID May, 1861, that is TO say since the
commencement of The present war, andtbe recognition
of its existence by the Confederate States.
Myopioon is that the power of attorney is nullty
and The proposed transfer Of stock illegal ard void
ard therefore the bank, as matter OF puohc duty
should refuse 10 recognize the power OF Attorney, or
permit the transfer 10 be entered on Its books.
No principle of international law il more firmly es-
talshed than that the declaration OF war arrests al
intercourse between the belligerents War puts every
Individual of the respective governments, as we'll ms
the governments themselves in state of hostility 20
each other. There is such thing as war for arms
aud Ne ace for commerce. The existence OF civil con-
tracts and relations Is cOnttultOil 10 hc VI WIT
and hence it has been held that commercial partner
sbps existing between the citizens OF one country and
those of another dissolved by the breaking ont oil
a war between the two countries Sir W lillian Scott
one of the most profound urss Of his age, repeatedly
declared in numerous cares adludged by him, that by
war all communications between the subjects OF the
beliperent countries SUSPENDED that intercourse
can be legally carried without special iceUse from
tie government; " that state OF war was d STATE oil
introduction OF communication.
After citing fur her authorities IN support oil this po-
sition, the Attorney General proceeds:
1t ia clear, therefore, that the acceptance OF the
power of attorney by Mr.. w. 4. Leverich from Mt.
H. b. Leverich il illegal, and he has no lawful au-
thority 10 act in pursuance Of it's mandate Tho frame
fer OF the stock agreement TO transfer the stock
betwe W. E. Leverich and II. 5. Leyerich ia Illegal
and cannot be tolerated. Mr.. ii. ). Lever1ch being
domiced ia New-York is 10 be regarded an alien
ENEMY and no person domiced within the Confederate
States can bold any intercourse or communication
with him during the war; and II such intercourse
result in negotiation, agreement or contract, snch
negotiation agreement contract 10 illegal, and aDso
lutey null and void. 1t is time that the law on this
subject should he well understood, for no intercourse
whatever without special permission of the Govern
ment can be lawfully carried between enemies, ex
cept that of hostile character The remittance Of
money for any purpose the making OF contracts the
acceptance Of trusts, the creation OF any civil obga
op or commercial relation whatever Is unlawful and
unbidden simply because ii is inconsistent with the
hostile attitude Of the parties The belligerent Gov
ernments have placed their respective citizens in
attitude of hostility toward each other, and rea
ton inconsistent with hostility be lawfully created
by the acts of individuals without the express permits
sion Of the Government.
Respectfully, THos. J. sEMMEs, Attorney General.
To WALTER q. ROBINSON osq., President Mechanics and
Traders Bank, NewOresns