Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1862-01-02

day before yesterday, stated that our forces
there were drawn up in line of battle, all
the day previous to his departure. Our
cavalry videttes and couriers from the out.
posts about the same time, reported that
the enemy's regiments were beating down
towards Oocoquau. About the same time,
too, the Richmond Dispatch gave the opin-
ion Of refugee, who escaped from Wash
|ington last Wednesday, that Mcclellan
would certainly make an advance in ten
days. From his known desire to break up
the blockade of the Potomac-a desire
which he has not attempted to conceal-it
il easy to infer that his first move will be
made against the Evansport batteries
Of course, feint attack is expected stimuli
taueously on Centreville--or possibly on
Leesburg--in order to divert attention
from the point where the main blow is in
tended to fall. We are still inoredulous,
however, as plausible as the prospects of a
battle undoubtedly are. Notwithstanding,
the weather for remarkably long time at
this season Of the year, has been clear and
almost vernal in its balminess; and the
roads are in admirable condition for trans
porting artillery, and mobiliziug an army.
The great fire which has sent its tide Of
desolatiou over the dear old city of Char
lesion, has stirred the sympathies of the
South Carolina forces here. A collection
is being raised, and We think five or ten
thousand dollars will be sent to the relief
of the sufferers. Next to the suffering pro-
duced, we regret the destruction of the In
stitute and St. Andrews Hall, consecrated
as they we're last December to the cause Of
liberty and State sovereignty. The gene
rous appropriation of 100000 by the
Georgia Legislature to relieve the distress
sed, will still more endear that noble and
prosperous State to the heart Of Carolinians
No State has made for itself, in this war. q
better name than Georgia. This new evil
dence of her high.toned character, will
make her the admiration of all who appre-
ciate generosity and magnanimity.
Mauy-mouthed rumor informed US soon
this morning, that Gen. Beauregard had
received dispatch from Richmond last
night, announcing the good news that the
large English cities are one blaze of excite
ment on the Mason and Slideil affair /; and
that the British government will at once
proclaim war against the United States, If
our ambassadors be not released, and this
insult to her flag thereby wiped out We
hope this is true; and we hope that the
Yankee administration will stick to their
high handed nolicy. We are not Of those
who court foreign Interference; for it is
best for the South, now and hereafter, that
the Yankees should be thoroughly taught
by ourselves, the expediency and proprie-
ty of letting US alone. But recognized by
England as belligerents, natural justice,
and not favor, to US, requires that England
should not counive at an act committed
under her Aag-and thereby become par.
ticsps criminis in the act-which barbari.
ans with any tone of character would dis.
daiu to practice on an enemy. Wherever
the British flag waves, she is bound by the
principles of international law, which is
founded on natural justice. We are seek
ing a national existence; and call this
simply revolution, and not the disruption
of a compact, we are still entitled from all
nations, even our enemies, TO fair chance
to succeed if we can. The Bull-trotting
despotism have overthrown the liberties Of
their own people--crushed Maryland into
the very dust-ridden rough.shod over all
that history proves valuable, and the hea.
holds sacred in domestic law and govern
ment. They now seek to turn loose their
lawless fanaticism upon those rules of com.
|ity and peace, which the concurrent voice
of civilized communities holds to be invio.
liable between nation and nation. Mr..
Blackstone says that an ambassador ought
to be independent Of every power except
the one by which he is sent and the "learn'
ed Grotius," whose sentiment prevailed in
the practice of Europe during Blaokstone's
day, carries this principle 50 far as to as
sert, that "the security of our ambassadors
is of more Importance than the punishment
of any particular crime"--even treason a.
gainst the kings life. Our ambassadors
op board the Trent were to all intents and
purposes on British soil-for the deck of a
British steamer is as sacred to q Briton as
the streets of London, or the banks of the
Avon and if the constitution and law Of
the realm forbid their punishment for debt
or crime, they certainly forbid their illegal