Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-11
Letters of IIarque.

The n Y. Day Book states, on good authority" that
as soon as Mr. Lincoln shall give unmistakeable evidence
OF design to coerce the Southern States the Confede
rate States will at once grant letters Of mlrque and rep
sal. The Dag Book warns the New York merchants to
be upon their guard, and to remember that war is
game at which two can play. The expedient Of resort
ing to letters Of marquee in the contingency supposed is
a natural and almost inevitable one. Without navy OF
their own and with the ocean closed against thcm the
Confederate States would both for scpreServation and
to retaate on their foes eagerly muster the militia OF
the seas The usage of civilized nations usfes re-
sort to this species of warfare The profits OF those
gagged in it. and the consequent damage TO Northern
commerce, would be immense. Southern products being
shipped on English, French, or other neutral bottoms
the war would be oresidsd and all the loss would fall
on our patriotic brethren of the North.
In the following article from the Charleston Mercury
the scheme Of resorng pryateers is treated fore
gone conclusion:
SPANISH, BRITISH AND FRENCH FLEETS.
The evil effects Of a dissolution of the Union of the
United States upon the North apparent not only in
the parayzng OF trade in the Northern States and cities
but in the new aspcc: presented by Foreign Powers But
YESTERDAY the Unionthe Northern States united with
the South-"stood against the world We were the
dictators on this Continent With the powerful CON-
msrca and economical necessity of cotton in the hands
Of the United States they could threaten and command
the policy Of European nations. But now the Union is
divided and the North is impotent The grand element
of command is with the South The Northern States
have scarcely one element Of trade with European
tons excepting grain, which is sometimes available
They are the rivals OF France aud England in navigation
aud manufacture The Confederate States, the
rary 10 stand in competition with the great Euro
pean nations IN their productions.
They agricultural States and produce cotton, rice
and tobacco essential 10 the industry ana
necessities Of European nations In this state OF things
these nations called upon to choose their allies Will
they support the United States their natural rivals and
enemies or will they so with the Confederate States,
their natural friends No one but Black Republican
bigot could for moment, doubt their determination
They will beyond question, recognize and support the
Confederate States and this being their determination,
they are about TO send fleets this Continent
that their policy is carried out They do not intend to
submit 70 paper blOckades They do not intend that
cotton shall be kept from their looms. Tney will have
t. and to this end they will recognize The Independence
of the Confederate States, within SIX weeks from this
tme and anticipating that obstacles 70 this policy,
with its accrung advantages, may be put in their way by
the United States they send feet to enforce it. If the
United States ACC esce in peaceful separation of the
States lately composing 1.-THE precautiOn Of having
flee. on our coasts Will be useless but If blockade OF
our ports is to be attcmptcd-ii is to arisethe
fleets Of France aud England will be ssary protest
their commerce.
Besides blockade pryaeers are rather awess in their
operations Every will with the privatcers OF
the Confederate States. The most active seahunt will
take place that the world has ever witnessed. Alreads
the Governor of South Clrolna has had offers and APP
patons for letters OF m1Tqge and reprsll from North
eru ports Tue Spanish gtIeOls which Of old tempted
the sea Adventures we're nothing 10 the rich prize,
which the California steamers aud European packets will
ford New Yor, viii blockade New York. We have
ont 20 cgaZe and le loose their robbers and
aGveuturers upon their commerce 10 accomplish its
SDeedv anuhi'aton. New Yer. and Boston furn-
81 the men, capital aud ships which ,carry the
African slave trade in defiance Of all laws The fleets
of nations on the coast OF Africa have in vain tried to
defeat their canning aud desperate enterprise. They
are ready 10 pursue fax lucrative and honorable
calling under the flag of the Confederate States and to
sweep the Northern shipping from the ocean. France
aud England wisely prepare Ter such . contingency
and enter on the ceuc o! enterprise to that Their
navigation is protected. Spain v De too the hun
ting grounds not to fear complication. Her feet right;
fully comes to protect her interests.
The Northern people see these demonstrations with
anger and dismay IL is but the beginning Of their mOr
fcaion losses and They have broken up the
nobcst fabric Of free government the world has ever seen,
and must bear the righteous retribuon which must fol
low their lanGtiesn FapaSy, bad faith aud folly. In
themselves in aaGgcnism the and interests Of
the whole civilized world, and they ouly will lament if
they are hua,6,ed and crushed by the world
They NAV busy themselves in warike demonstrations
and naval equipments hoping produce abroad the i'm
presson that they about the seeded States
Ii Is al labor lost They will fail to influence European
nations Their ambassadors aud ENJOYS will be snubbed,
and in six weeks predict the recognition Of the Con-
feierate States