The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-09
IMPORTANT FROM EUROPE.

The French Note proposing Mediation in
american Affairs.
The following is the despatch of the French Min
lister of Foreign ..ffairs addressed to the ambassa
doris of France at London and St. Petersburg:
PARIS, October 80. 1s62-Europe watches with
painful interest the struggle which has been raging
more than year upon the American continent
The hostilities have provoked sacrifices and efforts
certainly of nature to inspire the highest idea of
the perseverance and energy OF the two populations
But this spectacle which does so much honor to
their courage, is only given at the price of number
less caanities and prodigious ettusion OF blood.
To these results of civil war, which, from the very
first assumed vast proportions, there is still to be
added the apprehension of servile war, which would
be the eliminating point of so many irreparable
disasters The suffering of a nation towards which
have always professed asncere so'ictude prompts
the Emperor, even had we ourselves not suffered by
the counter blow of these events.
Under the influence of intimate relations which
extensive intercourse has multiplied between the
various regions of the globe, Europe itself has suf-
dried up of the most fruitful sources of public
wealth. and which has become, for the great centres
of labor 4 cause of most sad trials.
As YOU are aware, when the conflict commenced,
we held it duty to observe the most strict neu-
trality in concert with other maratime Powers and
the Washington Cabinet has repeatedly acknowl-
edged the honorable manner with which we adj
hered to that line of conduct. The sentiments die
tated to us have undergone no change but of
benevolent character. That neutrality, instead of
imposing upon the powers the attitude which might
resemble indifference, ought rather to make them
of service to the two parties by helping them out
of position which seems to have no issue. From
the commencement of the armed force was
! set on foot by the begerents, which, since then,
has been almost constantly kept up After so much
bloodshed they are now, in that respect, nearly IN
the same position, nothing authorizing the pre-
sumption that more decisive military operations
will shortly occur, according to the last news re-
ceived in Europe. The two armies, on the contra
ry, in condition that would not allow either
party to hope within brief delay for any decided
advantage to turn the balance and accelerate the
conclusion of peace. All these circumstances,
| taken together, point to the opportunity Of an
armistice, to which, moreover under the present
circumstances, no strateg ca objection can be made
The favorable dispositions towards peace which
beginning to manifest themselves in the North as
we'll as the South might on the other hand, second
steps that mi ht be made to recommend the idea
of truce. The Emperor has, therefore, thong that
the occasion has presented itself of offering to the
beligerens the support of the good offices of the
Maratme Powers, and his Majesty has charged me
to make the proposition of this government to her
Britanc Majesty well to the Court of Russia.
The three Cabinets would exert their influence at
Washington, as we'll with the Confederstes, to
obtain armistice for six months, during which,
every act Of war, direct or Indirect should provis
ionally cease we'll as on land, and it
might be, if necessary, ulteriorally prolonged.
The over:ures, | need not say, sir, weud not i'm
ply on our part any judgment the origin is
sue of the struggle, nor any pressure upon the
gotatlons which might it is to be hoped, ensue in
!
ly in smoothing down obstacles, and in interfering
only in measure determined upon by tho two
parties. We should not, in fact, believe ourselves
called upon to decide, but to prepare the solution
Of the difficulties which have hitherto opposed
Citation between the belIigereut parties. Would
not moreover, an agreement between the three
Courts respond sufficiently to their intentions ?
Would it not give to their step the character of
ident irnpartiality? Acting in concert they would
combine the conditions best suited to inspire conf
dence-the government of the Emperor, by the
| constant tradition of French policy towards the
United States-England, by the community of race
Russia, by the marks of friendship she has never
ceased toshow to the Washington Cabinet Should
the event not justify the hope of the three Powers
and should the a,dor of the struggle override the
wisdom OF their councils this attempt would not be
| the less honorable for them. They would have
fulfilled duty of humanity, more especially indi-
render all direct attempts at negotiation more
| difficult 1t is the mission which information
al law assigns neutrals, at the same time
that 1t prescrhes to them strict impartial
| lily, and they could never make nobler use of
! their influence by endeavoring to put an end TO a
struggle which causes much suffering, and COM
promises such great interests throughout the whole
world.
Finally, even without immediate results, these
| would DOt he fer
might encourage public opinion to views of concil-
latlon, 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 Gortschokof begging him to state the views
of the government of her Britanic Majesty or the
Court of Russia.
/ DRoUYN De LHUYs.
| EARL RUSSELLS REPLY.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Nov. Is, 1862
My LoRD-The Count De Flahaut came to the