Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-21
q He1lirarent Power.

a BelllSerent Power.
The recent advices from England, as they
come to US through the Northern papers, ap'
prise us of most important declaration, made
by Lord John Russell in response to an enquiry
whether tho English Government would re-
spect the letters Of marque issued by tho South
ern Confederacy. The English Minister said
that his Government would recognize the Con-
federate States as q Belligcrent Power. This
declaration will fall like a ~thunderbolt on the
subtle schemers ut Washington. The recent
letter of instructions, prepared By Mr.. Seward
for the foreign Ministers Of the United States
Government, was evidently intended to pre-
vent a quasi acknowledgment by European
Governments Of the Confederate States. He
secuted the possibility Of the dissolution OF
the Union, and requested foreign Governments
to dismiss from their councils as Oh absurdlty,
the idea thu. a dissolution was possible. This
bold game of bluff and buster has been de-
teated at tho outset. Foreign Governments are
we'll advised Of the extent and meaning Of the
AlUNSulsuL III III OullAI +oh"iSo ny ei
ready see through the weakness and inpoten.
wrath Of Lincoln's Government. England has
already decided that it will not nccede to Mr.
Stewards claim that the Confederate States are
merely "insurrectionists, too powerful to be
put down by the ordinary civil authority"
The formal declaration by the English Minis
ter, that his Government will regard the South
ern Confederacy es BeliigereDt Power, raises
US at once, By the law of nations, out Of the
category Of traitors, who are to be hung, drawn
and quartercd by the imperial despot at Wash
ington, at his sovereign will and pleasure. 1t
throws around US the protection Of the Law of
| Nations, and requires that this war be con-
Quoted according to its established rnlea.
1t sanctions the letters of marqus issued by
the Southern Confederacy, and legalizes all cap
lures made by privateers according to the law
of nations. Mr.. Lincoln will please take no.
tice that his Proclamation, threatening to treat
our privateers as pirates, 10 secuted by the most
| powerful maritime nation in the world He will
further take notice that the recognition b!
| England of the Southern C~onfedcracy Us q
belligerent power, opens to US the ports Of Eng
land and all her colonies, into which to carry
our prizes. It is we'll settled by the law Of
n~stions, and by adjudication OF tho Courts OF
Admiralty in Engluud and America, that the
| Prize Court Of the Be!ligeren: captor can sit
in its 70 country and condemn prizes carried
into a neutral port. Sir William Scott Eng.
lands greatest Admiralty Judge, declared the
principle to be well settled; and the rule has
been recognized BY the United States Courts.
Chancellor Kent the great Northern authori-
ty, says, in his treatise on the law Of nations,
in discussing this subject:
The Supreme Court ofthe United States has
followed the English rule, and it has held valid
the condennations, by q belligerent court, Of
prizes carried into a neutral port and remain-
ng there. This was deemed the most conve-
Intent practice for neutrals as well as for the
parties at war; and though the prize vas in
fact within neutral jurisdiction, it was still to
be deemed under the control, or sub. potestate,
Of the captor."
The rule here laid Lowa is recognized by all
maritime powers.
AS the vast carrying trade heretofore done BY
the Yankee ships will now be thrown into the
hands of British ship owners, their commercial
marine will require large additions, md our
prizes will find a ready sale in British porte. a
British feet vii! protcc, the neutrality Of the
harbors Of Jamaica and ether British colonies
in the West Indies, and these islands will soon
drive o brisk and profitable trade in the pur.
chase, at low prices, Of Yankee ships and Yam
kec notions.
Yankee commerce has found its way to the
four quarters of the earth. 1t will not so ea.
silly find its way home. The Navy Of the Uni
ted States is insufficient for home purposes,
and the rich harvest Of Yankee commerce ali
over the world, will be Iesped with unsparing
hands by tbs bold AMI adventurous spirits Of
the South.
Bai it remembered, that when this declaration
was made b. the English Government, the
border States had not united their fortunes
with the Southern Confsderacy. When
this news shall have reached England, the
moral effect Of the great Southern Confederac5
will be enhanced ten.fold. A nation born Ia
q day will take its stand among the Powers Of
the Earth, and will speedily be recognized as
sovereign aud independent