Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-24
The Destruction of Cotton and Tobacco,


T. il stated a. fac, bya L,adon paper that, as a'e
as he 2Si Of January Louis Napoleon vas resolved TO
announce TO the Legislative Corps Of France, that be
should recoynE, the Confederate Sales, and disregard
;de blockade. On that DAY be vas Induced TO forego
lis resolution defer its execution, in consequence
Of soe representations made to him By Earl Russell
What these representatives we're, not told but
i, nav not be difficult conjecture their substance
Our belief a. that Swari has gwen the British Govern
meat assurances TIA: the rebellion would be crushed iu
unsus vrry saost tine aud that RoslAnd shosld then
have abundant supplies Of cotton. Thirty sixty days
nav have been speech ID. With these Assurances, Lore
John Russell probably pledged himself to Louis NApo
lson tia: If be would delay bis meditated scion until
the expiration Of tie specified time And If then the var
in this gentry vas not at an end England would join
France IN armed intervention. Without some such
pledge a. this We cannot account for the change Of pur
Pc on the pr; Of the French Emperor The part
acted BY Lori John Is n character With the He
Is one OF YOUR sentimental champions Of liberty, and
would look on aud see free people crushed under the
iron heel Of desfosm, -i;h perfect composure, bis
fAaAtisl dogmAs we're no; apparently invaded Listen
ing IS he vas vsry wiling % do 10 thu lying tales Of
SevAri abou- abolition and assured that cotton should
very speedily be forthcoming, he well to
stand BY and passvsly aid in the subugA.On eKter
mnaion Of the o0ly portion of the American people who
uphold civil arty.
II view Of this heartless policy the part CT the
Bs.ish Ministry duty Of a vital character devolves
n Sbal ~ sand idle and With folded arms and per
mi. this uiqui,ols game to be played OUT We know
that our cotton and obloco essential to the suOss
ts1cs Of millions Of people in Great Biain and Franc"
and thai the general prosperity Of both those countries
Is dependent upon these ares Ten months ago, in the
hama. Of wise government-Of one Of ordinary fore
c,s.-those great staples might have been used pur
chase abroad arms aad ammunition aud steeLpla'ed
,msrs ~hich would have rendered iuviucibe aud
enabled a. this very tins, 20 be rl7aging the coasts
aad rivers Of the Yankees instead OF having ours
po.ed 70 their depsedatOns. Bat With short-siehei-
mes, the most msryesas and dsplorable, rulers
dd nothing; they kaeH gland and France must have
COTTON and tobacco and they Uttered themselves that
tb,y would break the blockade 20 get them. Now
eueui.s are using these precious treasures crimnay
neglected BY ourselves 70 our subjugation- Sew
r undertakes to furnish foreign powers these indisPeE
able articles a. the price OF their neutrality aud their
rsspsc, for an inefficient bIeckAie-artieSs which he
en- only obtain By sabjlga.ion. Oar own wealth
tia, on which We chi,ay rssds employed as the most
90 etive means for our u1doiog.
snail ws psrnsii2 Tho cotiol aud tobacco are sill
in our hands, sail permit them to pass into the
bands Of lie euemy' II We do We shall deserve the
fate that viii fellow.
Every consideration Of honour aud safety dictates that
step. should be Immediately aksn which will ensure the
distraction Of every hoSshead Of tobacco and bale
cot.ou sooner than suffer them to fall into the hands Of
the eusmy. wl-rs there are largo quantities Aeeumua
ted ia any city they should be removed to some
point in the Ltsror and ggOts prepared to make the
destruction certain, when the occasion shall demand
THIS Is especially dlty here In Richmond. thousand
tmas better burn every hSSShead than let the enemy
GET IT, or ary foreign power through The agency Of the
enemy We have had good many mysterious rumowS
8,iug a-ound, in eonnexon with French frigates in
Hampton Roais Some said they brought sealed pack
ages Of eognition; others that they bore perm
from the Lincoln Government to enter the waters Of Viz
eini, and receive cargo Of Tobacco. We know moth
Ing. We should dislike TO DO anything uDgraciSus ev,n
in appsaruncs to France. Properly approached she
irAS lave been made an ally Of iaestmabe value. 1:
nav not be ye. too late Bdl she cannot complain, 4
We Cor TIE time being consult own safety and self
spees And Wholly repuaiate the authority 81 Lincoln
Ns.,s hOgshs,d Should be ahippSd,isnd the authorities
should forik,sih remove from the city ali the tobacco
here aLd deposit il in place where il the eIi-
Esnsy arises may be certainly ant speedily Destroyed.
Z. ALkSseH,e, and ttat inaiaAiiy should be adopted
yeet 20 cotton. Place il where It's destruction
sue, before ihasnemy can get it. Our salvation
pend upon the certain, prompt and vigorous sx-
f IS "a Of thla sqssms