Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-31

TI0NS. &C., &c, &C.
By the arrival of the Cunsrd mail steamship America
at New York. on the 24th inst, have European mails
OF the 7h Instant with files Of papers that date We
give below some very interesting extracts bearing upon
the sllabsorbipg topic which occupies the public mind
at this time
PREsIDENr.DAvIs' MESSAGE IN ENGLAND.
WHAT HER cABISKr AND POLITICIANS THINK AND HOPE
PROM TAX PAPER.
Prom the London Pest Government organ), Dec. u
The principal intelligence conveyed by the Einburg
from America consists in the message OF the President
Of the Southern Confederation aud glad to no.
tce the friendly in which treats Of tho relations
of the South with this country, while embarked
in critical negotiation with the North; and while wt
are also about enter upon Intervention in Mexico
q country bordering upon the Southern States This IL,
in fact the only satisfactory and signfcan. information
that the present American packet has brought. The
"Trent question" remains in stau quo. The opinion Of
the law officers Of the Washington Cabinet which is now
repeated had reached by the Persia Monday last
but the popular excitement which the question had pro-
voked appears to have in some cooled DOWN.
For the moment therefore, Southern politics arrest our
chief attention.
The Message of President Davis to the Southern Con-
gross in our judgement the satisfactory for the
firm and determined attitude In which it confronts the
Unonst Ea-ty and the Cabinet Of Washington for We
concede the eonquest Of the South be next to impossible
it by the exhibition Of Southern strength rather than Of
Southern weakness that peace 10 DO restored between
the two belligerents President Davis recounts that
throughout months Of hosties the conederstes
have almost uniformly held their own that 10 several
instances they have thrown their opponents into deen
sve attitude.
President Davis Is therefore fully entitled to the bold
ground which he assumes when he declares that "the
South will be content 10 I've ut peace with the North
but that ae separation is aa" He adds that the South
will accept of no compromise. He Ia now. perhaps for
the first time, in position to make use Of this Ian
gusge Indeed is led TO ask after the trial and
hauston Of so many designs aud the expenditure OF SO
much money the part of the North what is yet to
introduce decisive features into the campaign! The
Fsderils have enjoyed immense advantages in point Of
and money, and also las showed yesterday IN
drawing warlke supplies IRON this country through
their superior command Of the sea. President Davis
will doubt derive fresh confidence when he reads the
two royal proclamations which, in tie latter respect
have now placed the North ar South on footing of
Cqaaly. But there has been scarcely single State
by the Northern army during the whcie
Of the campaign, and it Is much Questioned whether
the naval expeditions Of the Federal Government
to Hatteras and Port Royal have done much more than
slightly TO reduce the privateerng activity OF the South
The assertion o. the Southern President must therefore,
b, admitted TO be substantially true that "the recon-
sructon Of the Unon which the FedsTals sock 70 effect
by force OF arms has become more and more palpably
impossible" He maintains also that the causes which
brought about the separation not only remain in full
force, nave Oeeu
gan. With Wow Of observing strict neutrality be
tween the coutending States have carefully reiraned
from officially recognizing the South but the time has
certainly arrived at which altogether TO believe
in the possible reunion OF the States and at which
must at all events rscognz; The indp.neHt eOnfedera
ton of the South as actual fact.
President Davis speaks with Just indignation Of the
sezlre OF his ENJOYS to the Courts Of France and Eag
and and there h pafs'gs in this part OF his message
which throws probable light on the distinctive mission
on which Mr. Slde and Mr.. Mason sent 10 Eu
rope He remarks with some evident pride, that the
Confederate States have been fight their
battles and have solicited no assistance from foreign Pow
ers But he declares that they have right TO bling be-
fore Europe the question Of the application Of ths exist
ing bockades Of their ports to the acknowledged
principle of international law that blockades il they
are to be respected by third Powers must be ,f,ctive
He is about represent to the European Governments
accordingly, the total neicency of these blockades
and to put the assertion upon evidence II Is fair n
ference that this Of the questions upon which
Hessrs Slidell and Maso" were sent to Europe.
But there il another statement in our present An eri
can intelligence which threatens put the blockade que
lion 10 a light s5~g.ther new 1t Is announced that
twenty e We vessels have set sail, apparently frc New
York heavily loaded with stones with tho view Of their
being suck at the mouth Of Southern h,rbor. Now,
in al probability ngress or egress would be as difficult
at Southern port with veand twenty sunken vessels
n front of the harbor Seb,sopo where the
Russians sank several Of their ships with the view OF pre-
venting The rnrirce Of English and French vessels Of
war Jh. FEDERAL GOrernment desire by is eSpsdisa 10
ut BE- D,rtcey dtcdre Tat there once end ofMs DO
Gde in erey in 'rhh their plan Is 10 apply
kct tv may; and trh regr he Fedsrdl GorSrnen
thus sus'ite sznten rseis Jr IL Ips e odr hsH he
blockade rMAdted ne consent of0E nations
We draw attention TO the rational and friendly man
ner in which the Southern President addes 10 tie at
tude maintained hitherto towards America by this
try because regard our relations with the Southern
States as henceorward Of very considerable importance
These States have now attained such position that
must bring ourselves TO believe In tho permanence Of
their independent confederation. We have differences
With the North In which the Southerners directly 10
terested and have Just Concluded treaty with
the Juarez Government of Mex co for settlement Of
our long-standing claims upon that country under the
'.Aldham Convention" anu other recorded obligations.
Our naval expedition TO the Gulf of Mexico Ia CHARGED
with H. execution Of these TERMS aud probably before
February next the system OF sequeslration Of customs
revenue at Vera Cruz and Tampco will have been put
into action and the proceeds be accommodating for dis
trbution under the mix ed commission between the de-
sOoed resd nts and the wronged bondhoders We must
look upon this Intervention as one that be in opera
ton during considerable period Of time and while the
Northern Government is too distant to admit Of its at
tude entering materially into this question: the Southern
Confederation on the other hand stretches for great
distance slorg the frontier Of Mexico render lie
friendly disposition TO the authors OF the Intervention
OF no slight consequence The Northern Government
has invariably rallied at our neutrality but the South
era with craftsmanship and moderation, has recognized
in all that we could do for either party and whether
with view to our transactions IN Mexico, or TO rels-
ous with the Cabinet Of Washington the friendly for
bear .nce OF the Southern Confederacy is important
point In OR favor.
From the London Times, Dec TIN
The President Of the Confederate States has delivered
his Message on the meeting Of the Southern Congress
The usage in the Northern federation is for Congress to
nee. on the first Monday in December which this year
fell on the Cd aud in few days may expect have
Mr. Liucon's Message to the Republic Of which he is
Chief Masistra,e But In the Confederate States the
practice, Of tue older federation has been adopted 30
that President has the Of his rival by few days
and is able to make impression by bold and conf
dent manifesto, while President Lincoln is still engaged
on bis own lengthy ditquision The summary given Of
the Southern Message shows i TO be State paper OF
great interest and importance. Its author has always
been recognized, even by bis enemies as Of the
most vigorous and as.e politicians that America has
produc d. and he is especially remnklbls for literary
skill in compositions Of this kind Wemsy expect there
FORE that the dignity of the South will not suffer from
the pen Of it's first President The message OF few
months since was an able apology for secession, and
vigorous exhortation TO unity and courage. The present
messsg seems to congratuaton Oh victories achiey-
cd aud an announcement that the national Independence