The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-05

DOR OF tne sTuggie ONerfuie tnc Wisuou VI
their councils, this attempt would not be
the less honorable for them, and they would
have fulfilled duty Of humanity more es-
pecially indicated in war which excited
passions render all direct attempts at nego-
tiation moro difficult. 1t is the mission
which international law assigns to neutrals
at the same time that IT prescribes to them q
strict impartiality, and they could never
make nobler use Of their influence than by
endeavoring to put an end to the struggle
which causes so much suffering, and compro-
misses such great interests throughout the
whole world.
Finally, even without immediate results,
these overtures would not be entirely useless,
for they might encourage public opinion to
views of conciliation, and thus contribute to
hasten the moment when the return OF peace
might become possible.
l request you sir, in the name OF His
Majesty, to submit these considerations to
Lord Russell, or to Prince Gortscbakof, beg
ging him to state the views Of government
of Her Britannia Majesty or Count Of Rus
sia. (Signed) DRourS De L'Hurs.
The following dispatch was addressed by
Earl Russell to Earl Cowley, Her Majesty's
Ambassador at Paris:
"FoRncS 0rrrcE, Nov. l3.
Ny Lord: Tho Count dc Flahault came to
the Foreign Office by appointment on Mon.
day, 10th inst, and read to mo dispatch
from NJ. Drouyn de l'Iiuys, relating to the
civil war in North America. In this dis
patch the Minister for Foreign Affairs states
that Europe has followed with painful inter-
est the struggle which had now been going
on for more than year on the American
continent. He does justice to the energy
and perseverance which have been displayed
by both sides. but he observes that these
proofs Of their courage have been given at
the expense Of innumerable calamitics and
immense bloodsbed. To these accompani-
ments of civil conflict Is to be added the ap-
prehension of servile war, which would be
the climax Of so many irrcparable misior-
tunes. II these calamities affected America
only, these suilcrings Of a friendly nation
would be enough to excite the anxiety and
sympathy Of the Emperor; but Europe has
suffered in one Of the principal branches ol
her industry, and her artisans have been sub
jcctcd to most cruel trials.
France and the maritime powers have,
during the struggle, maintained tho strictest
neutrality, but tho sentiments by which
they are animated are far from imposing on
them anything like indifference, but seem,
on the contrary, to require that they should
assist the two belligercnt parties in an en-
deayor to escape FROM position which ap-
pears to have 10 issue. The forces OF the
two sides have hitherto fought with balanced
success, and the latest accounts do not show
any prospect Of speedy termination OF the
war. These circumstances taken together
would seem to favor the adoption Of meas
ures which might bring about truce. The
Emperor OF the French, therefore, is OF the
opinion that there is now an opportunity OF
Offering to the bellisercnts the good officers Of
the maritime powers. He therefore proposes
to Her Majesty, as we'll as to the Emperor Of
Russia, that the three courts should endeav.
or, both at Washington and in communica.
ton with the Confederate States. to bring
about suspension ofarms for six months dur.
ing which every net Of hostility, direct or
indirect, should cease at sea as well rs on
land. This armistice might, II necessary.
be renewed for further period. This pro-
posal. NJ. Drouyn do l'Huys proceeds to say,
would not imply on the part Of tho three
powers any judgment on the origin of the
war, or any pressure on the negotiations for
peace, which it is hoped would take place
during, the armistice. The three powers
would only interfere to smooth obstacles. and
only within limits which the two interested
parties would prescribe.
The French Government Is Of the opinion
that even in the events of failure OF immedi-
ate success, these overtures might be useful
in turning the minds Of men now heated by
passion, to consider the advantages Of con-
ciliation and peace. Such is IN substance
the proposal of tho government OF the Eu'
peror Of France, and I need hardly say that
il has attracted the serious attention OF her
maiestys governpent. Her Majesty Is dcsir.
Gus of acting in concurrence with France
upon the great questions now agitating the
world, and upon none more than tho con.in-
rencies connected with the great struggle
now goiug on in North America. Neither
her majesty the Queen nor the British ma
ton will ever forget the noble and emphatic
manner in which the Emperor Of the French
yiudicated the laws Of nations, and assisted
in the cause Of peace. in the instance Of the
seizure Of the Confederate commissioners on
board the Trent. Her majesty's government
recognize with pleasure in the design Of ar.
resting the progress Of the war by friendly
measures the benevolent views and humane
intentions Of the Emperor. They are also
Of the opinion that II the steps proposed
wcrs to bo taken the concurrence Of Russia