The Semi-weekly Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1862-1864, 1862-08-01
Commercial Rights Of Neutrals--
Important to the Cotton Trade.

Important to the Cotton Trade.
The following important letter was
published in the Mobile papers:
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, }
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
Richmond, Va, May l6, 1862.
SIR In answer to your commune
cation Of this morning, | have the hon
or to state that the government has
no desire to destroy any cotton be-
longing to neutrals, but onthe contra
~, is willing TO extend to it, full pro-
lection while in its power, provided,
the like protection can be effective,
when the cotton may fall into the pos
session of the enemy. The past con-
duct of the government OF the United
States, and the passive attitude of
neutral nations, whose rights have
been violated by the United States,
have satisfied us that if cotton belong
ing to neutrals be allowed to fall into
the hands of the enemy, it will be
seized and appropriated by them re-
sardlcss OF neutral rights, and that
neutral powers will fail to afford any
protection to the rights of their sub
| jectS when thus violated.
If, however, as you suggest, any
official assurance shall be formally
communicated by the government OF
any neutral nation, 10 this nation, OF
Il nature to satisfy us, lat cotton be-
| longing to the subjects Of such neutral
nations shall be eti'ectualiy protected
against seizure ard appropriation by
the enemy, if allowed to fa!! into his
possession, this government viii have
no hesitation IN issuing instructions,
to refrain from the destruction of such
cotton, even when exposed to seizure
by the enemy.
| | am, your obedi"nt servant.
J. 7. BENJAMIN,
[ Secretary OF State.
! TO c. G. BAYLOR. Esq
The Mobile papers. says th. Ms
sissippian, comment upon Mr. Benia-
MINIS letter in the most favorable
terms. We are glad 10 see tina. the
distinguished Louisianian's unques-
ttioned abilities are turned III this di-
rcction. The civil policy ofthis gov
eminent is rs vital as our military
policy. Peace has its victories Us
well as war. The cotton questio.
has been too long allowed TO occupy
very injurious position. 1t is due
alike to the dignity and intelligence
Of the Southern people that our free
trade government should be the fore
most to recognize the great principle
Of commercial freedom, set forth at
Paris in 1856, to-wit: the CONNER
ciaI rights of ncutrals during war
The utilization of he cotton crop is
secured by Mr.. Benjamin's letter
8 With the sale of or great staple for
neutral account we accomplish many
desirable things. We turn over to
Europe the protection Of the crop
against Yankee rapacity we remove
the cotton question asa demoralizing
- and distracting element in the mids,
Of our own people we strengthen
Confederate credit abroad to the cx.
tent of 100000 in gold or it,
equivalent, and we secure the presence
Of our superior crop in the worlds
. market Unsuccessful competition will
= the idle hopes of English abolition
= ism. 1t is believed by those well &C
quainted with the condition of our for
L eign relations, that Europe will NOV,
against the North upon the issue pre-
n scented in Mr.. Benjamin's letter to Nh
g Baylor. In the meanwhile, let tn
o planters cheer up. Cotton will ad
y vance rapidly and find ready sale
d Edward l.. Pearce, the agent o
1t the Yankee Treasury Department a
o Port Royal, reports: $4,000 acre
e planted by free negro labor, on tn