The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-04
THE BRITISH POLICY IN REFERENCE TO
THE SOUTHERN BLOCKADE.
EARL RUSSELL AND THE COTTON SHIPPERS.
lFrom tho New Orleans Picayune, Nov. III

THE SOUTHERN BLOCKADE.
EARL RUSSELL AND TIE COTTON SHIPPERS.
From tho New Orleans Pcayuno, Nov. IL.
correspondence between Lord John Russell and some
agents Of tho British cotton importing interest s
ported TO by telegraph published in yesterday spaper
1t throws no light on the opinions Of Tho British
government TO the effectiveness " tho existing BLOCK
ado OF tho Southern ports the policy which will
adopt in the event that shall decide that the blockade
Is not lawful, because not effective.
Il could scarcely have been looked for that the govern
men would give any other reply the proposition OF the
cotton importers than the they have received. II
had determined TO treat the blockade as nenecye, md
insist on the abrogaon immediately II could only have
answered the Foreign Secretary did that the blockade
is he respected eli effective, and that individuals
not to Judge If the question: but must take all the conso
quences Of acting upon pubic questions according to p
yate Interpretation without the sanction VI government
The request Of tho merchants was IN substance, TINT
the government shall break tho blockade At once by send
ing public ships TO convoy trading vessels into and ont
Of bockaded ports shall authorize them TO arm thon
selves and eight their way in In Other words they
asked government war, 70 allow them to make
war; without further notice. Permission Tor private
vessel to resist the attempt CTS national vessel Of bel
gerent to stop her entrance into blockhcd port would
be permission to resist blockade exactly where is
effective. trading vessel which finds national weasel
In It's way and cannot got into port without lighting cgn
have no ground for alleging that the blockade was not
effective az to herself An attempt to force vessel in
against national vessel present and resisting cord only
be done on the ground that the government which has
authorized 1t has takon the public ground to disregard
everywhere, and at all consequences.
Tho ground on whchsuch resolution can be taken in
the British view Of tho rights OF the parties bogerent
that tho blockade IL sctual that H. that is not
maintained tho whole coast in regard TO which II
proclaimed so completely that trading vessels do not In
some places, come in and go out without obstruction
But decision ON that point Is to be made up tho basis
OF multitude, or at least sufficient number Of proved
instances were the blockade has been successfully run,
or by satisfactory demonstration that cannot be main
taned with necessary strictness. Before government
arrives at TINT general conclusion from the forco Of the
evidence of insufficient blockade, II would only
barrass tho national view OF the question:; to take the
right OF resisting it, exactly where proves itself SUI
hcen for the time. When that conclusion is reached,
thnv. nf t,,tn
viii not be administered through private adventurera
by that species OF ndirection which allows national
wer to be made by individuals.
The effectiveness of blockade being a question
Of many facts and the " be taken question with
aspects Of varying cxpediency, the determination of
government would take the form Of deliberate national
net. soould be p,y unusual, esea If ne determination
should be reached that TIE blockade is nnldpfal for one
Goy9e,mt 10 take measures fer ShGi in fat constitutes ,or
against another government ,o Which lis relations are those
Of dmtty, shot diplomatic attempt 70 orod the nec.si,y
Of rupture The removal Of unlawful distractions from
commerce would be hrst requested, and even in III,
ovcnt that such request should be refused formal
would unquesonaby DO given OF the final purposes Of the
government The usages Of nations would be observed in
ali their strctness before the making up of very grave
IN issue as the disregard through ali It's length Of bc
ade Of three thousand miles Of coast supported by an
ray OF armed vessels which may hot DO numerous enough
to close all the ports completely, but are Formidable
enough to laake the undertaking to encounter them
GUS national question.
This is all recognized in the communication Of the
British Secretary TO the cotonshppcrs The government
will not disregard ofactiven blockade, nor authorize
carefully reserves the question whether this one is "ef
fective and what the government will do IL it be decided
not to do so.
THE DESTRUCTION OF COTTON IN SOUTH
CAROLINA.
From the Charleston Correspondence Nov 81 Of the
Richmond Examiner.
The amount Of cotton abandoned on the plantations
was very considerable. i not easy 10 estimate the
quantity with certainty but generally said TO BIO about
Mtoen hundred bales Many OF tho planters, before
quitting set nre % thor crops aud such other cobus
rV nm hair -
1t certainly TO b. regretted that, in the confusion that
prevailed this very proper step not generally
taken.
But the drst surprise At the invasion has now died
away and think the Northern government may reckon
last bag Of cotton also the last contraband tina, i.
over can hope to seize by bouncing upon tho Of
South Carolina. Concerted arrangements between the
planters and the military authorities have wisely been
made BY which no pantaton will in future be abandoned
until tho crop astoy consumed the gin house and
other buildings destroyed the live stock driven off and
the hands removed TO the interior In the expose
localities, that is the islands adjacent to Port Royal on
which the enemy may at any moment make his appear
ance, the work or destruction Is already commenced
For the past few days gangs OF negroes from tn. sea-
coast laden with such effects they carry and fol-
lowed by roves Of mules and horses have been passing
through This city on their way TO the back country.
Night before last the aohole a.ophere the city, ard
miles around notwithstanding iae bright moonlight scos ha,y
anu fTid Many could FOR the phenomenon
teas the eject Of the wholesale conagrotsoa Of cotton ,op
going az Etsto and other is,onds intervening bcceen
Pori Royal and Charleston. Whenever the maraudcrs
choose next to land and Is useless to disguise the fact
that they can land at great many points they will nd
nothing but devastated fields deserted by all the
avengng presence Of the partisan riaenen. The pari
otto sacrifice which has been made by planters is all
tho greater when We consider that the crops Of the past
season have fnr exceeded the best before known
In my last letter alluded TO the strength of the do
fences Of Charleston Savannah also has been strongly
fortified plan FOR Which the conformation OF its har
Dor affords peculiar facilities, and understand that Gen
era Leo says that that city is in condition to make
protracted and successful defence. General Lee has
gone to Brunswick, Georgia.
THE SLAVES NOT REBEILIOUs.
The Columbia S. c.. papers publish the following ON
cel letter from Gen. Draytcn to tho Govornor:--
CAMP Ike, HaRnEsyHIE, Nov. 10, 1861
To his Exceilcncy, Governor i. w. PicSENs:-
Sis.-At the request Of your Exceency, made TO me
yesterday at these headquarters have the honor Of pre-
sentng my views OF the present attitude behavior of
immediate command. -
So far from there being any insurrectionary feeling
among them, can assure your Excellency that have
neither seen nor heard Of any act Of piagnp ucea.
diarism, or violence in any direction.
It is truc that tho negroes Of few plantations have
shown spirit of insubUrdmaticn by refusing 10 move
higher up the country, when ordered to do SO by their
owners but this dsoboence Should be assigned rather
TO feeling Of dismay and utter hcpessness being left
alone and unprotected by the pocptatc abandonment by
their masters Of ,heir plantations than from any organ
lied plan Of resistance to the authority they had been
accustomed to obey.
But how feel much satisfaction in stating sr tho in
formation Of Exceleacy that the negroes arc fast
recovering from their fright and coming from their
bidng PAGES, AMI quietly nnd submissvey resufaiap
their agricultural abors without the guidance or pre-
sence IL many Instances, Of either q or oyerseer
Ia couclusien, would respectfully advise that nil
planters sad ovefseers who not mustered into Ger
vice. and are owners or agents OF property upon the
main land, sho A without delay, return to their several
ncghborhoods anu thus by their presence prevent re
currence II that excitement among their people which
has BEEN due in great to their absence With
much respect your obedicnt sesa
THOMAS 7. DRAY70N, Brigadier General,
commanding Third Military District Department sc.
MEMBERS ELECT OF THE LOUISIANA LIE.
GlSLATURE.
From tho New Orleans Picayune, Nov. Ill
We present list OF the members elected to the Leps.
lature as far Us heard from
Lining oa-T. q. Davidson, Representatives
NatciIshss.-J u. b. Tucker Representative
Wl'm-W. Walker, Representative
IeRsas.-A. Snyder and L. Mason, Representatives
Poine Cospee.-F L. Claiborne aud G. Damourele, Jr,
Representatives..
st. John tho Bdpist.-J. Bossier, Representative
81. Land,y-A. o. Guidry, J. N. Moore, j. j. Morgan
aud r. J. Smith, Jr., Representatives.
MISREPRESENTATION, Representative.
Morehoase.--C 9. Davenport, Representative.
Lafourche.-O Harang and r. N. Ogden, Reprcsnta-
tves.
81. charlcs-L Wales, Representative.