Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-10
Intercepted COrrespOndence-The Rebel
Minister Discouraged.

Minister Discouraged.
The state department at Washington COM
municates curious and interesting document
received there, instead of at Richmond, for
which place it seems to have been intended.
1t addressed by the rebel commissioner
Rost at Madrid, under date of March 81, to
r. NJ I. Hunter, acting as secretary of state
to jeff Davis government, at Richmond.
The first topic suggested on Rost's arrival, by
the Spanish secretary of foreign affairs, was
the surrender Of fort Donelson =
He expressed great surprise that fifteen
thousand confederates should have surrendered
without greater resistance, regretting the effect
that such disaster was calculated to have on
the morals Of our troops. l told him had
no doubt the number OF prisoners was greatly
exaggerated, as from what l had seen Ill yari-
Gus American papers the real number must
be under six thousand; that the enemy was
vastly superior in numbers, and the resistance
OF General Buckner all that could be desired.
| concluded by saying that | need
not tell a Spanish minister that a brave and
united people, fighting for their nationality
and independence, could not be subjugated;
the armies OF Napoleon gained many impor-
tant victories in Spain, and for years occupied
It's capital and fortresses; but when the Span
ish armies had been nearly destroyed, the eli
tire people rose in their might, end drove the
imperial legionS beyond the Pyrenees; so it
would be with, us in the end. He was well
pleased with the allusion, and said he had no
doubt Of our ultimate success, provided our
people could stand the privations which pro-
tracted contest would bring upon them.
THE MISSION AT PARIS.
Continuing the conversation, he asked me
what had been the result of the interview OF
Messrs. Mason and Shdell and NJ. Thouvenel.
| said these interviews had led to no result;
that the emperor Napoleon considered the dis
ruption Of the Union and Oft rising navy rs
great misfortune to France, and was, OF late
inclined to hope that it might be reconstruct
ed; and further, that he would, under no cir
cumstances, incur the enmity Of the north by
taking the lead in recognizing us while the
present administration in England was to Il
great extent composed of abolitonists, and
wanted the support Of the abolition faction for
lis maintenance in power, deluding itself at
the same time with the vain hope that il the
civil war was prOtracted, and the culture of
cotton ceased in whole or in part, the monOp-
oily Of that staple would pass from the confud-
crate states to India, as a compensation for
the present suferings OF the British manutac-
turing population. But Spain was differently
should be possessed by two great powers, who
would balance each other; her counsels were
not tainted with Puritan tanaticism, and sure
ly she had no interest that the monopoly OF the
cotton supply should pass from us to England
Spain was our natural ally and friend, ant
her paramount interest was that we shoult
become an independent power. When W,
were recognized, similarity Of institutions
ideas and social habits would form between
us a more cordial friendship and alliance thai
had ever existed between two people.
Mr.. ROst concludes his respondent letter Il
follows:
Before taking leave 1 handed to Mr. Col.
lantes copy of the communication to Ear
Russell, and his answer, which had been puO-
lished in the parliamentary papers, and also a
copy OF my instructions, for which he WAS
thankful. He expressed the hope that we
might have frequent conversations together,
and appeared anxious to obtain correct infor-
nation through southern sources. He was
astonished that our government had not pro-
vidod means for transmitting that information
and requested me, when | received any that
was important to impart it to him. This is
the substance of what may be considered o.
some importance in long and cordial inter.
view. | infer from it that this government
Will not act separately from England anC
France. Owing to the enormous preparation,
made by the north to subjugate US, l believe
that nothing is now to be expected from any
of them until the northern government il
ready to treat with US as an independent pow
err If it be so, and the war is to last man,
years, as the president intimates in his inau
gural, it will be for him to determine whethe
it is consistent with our dignity to keep longe
abroad commissioners whom, he knows, ar
under no circumstances to be received o
listened to.