The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-11-14
The Rumored Meditation of France
and England.

The following is the article from the New
York Express, briefly mentioned under our
telegraphic head, yesterday, foreshadpwing
the recognition of the Southern C6nfederacy
by tbe governments of France and England.
It may be remarked, that the Express is the
most trustworthy of all the Yankee journals:
Reliable information has been received
hereis from a sem-o{icial source in Europe,
that France and England are in accord in re-
gard to their line of conduct towards this Go
yernment.
Lord Lyons was to have sailed for the
United States in the Austrialasian, hut was
detained a; the. last moment by order of Lord
John Russell. Her Majesty's Secretary for
Foreign Affairs, to await further instructions
in consequence of Lincoln's abolition pro-
ciamation.
His Lordship's departure was then Fixed
for the 18th of October, and on his arrival at
Washington he will positively inform Mr..
Seward Of the programme decided upon by
the European Powers.
Similar instructions to those Of the British
Minister will be forwarded to Count MERCER,
the French Minister at Washington. by the
same steamer which will bring the English
Minister back to this country.
We are also given to understand that our
Government will soon be informed that Eng
70ud and France haze decided apoR The recog-
uiti5n eof1he Southern ConJederacy, if the
Joint affairs of mediation aud armistice to be
proposed to Mr. Seward arenot accented
At any rate, this Government will be duly no.
tilted of the Intentions of England and France
in this respect, and, as those powers are fully
aware that any offer of mediation on the basis
of separation VII pot for an instant even be
listened to by our Government, united en-
deayors will then be made by all the European
ambassadors in Washington TO obtain an ar
mistice of four or six months between North
and South. These foreign Governments are
under the impression that if once a cessation
Of hostilities can be effected, a calmer spirit
will succeed, which vii! enable the two see
tons to negotiate.
The utmost endeavors will be made shortly
after Lord Lyons return to Washington, by
the whole corps diplomatique at Washington,
to bring abeut such an armistice. Only then,
when all these offers of mediation and armis
tce shall have proved Of no avail, will the
South be recognized simultaneously by Eng
land and France. Aside from the fact that
these powers would now look upon the South
as a detacto Government, they fear that an
instruction of the slaves in the South. as
consequence of the late Emancipation Pro.
clamation. will take place after the lst Of
January. and hence, in order to afford pro-
lection to their own citizens residing there,
are compelled to grant protecting power to-
their agents in the several Southern cities,
which, as things stand just now, they do not
possess.
Thew fear that the Confederate Government,
unrecognzed as it is. may at any time tell
their consuIs in Charleston Richmond. Savan-
nan, and elsewhere. that there is no dirlnmat-
ic relation existing between the Confederaey
and Europe, and they can, therefore. not per-
NIT them to act in a consular capacity. 1t Is
to guard against such an emergency, and to
afford their own citizens residing in the South
ample protection under the egis of their
regular appointed agents, that England and
France will claim the necessity of recognizing
the new Confederaey.