Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-15


| A document addressed by Hon. J. P Bsuit .
min, Confederate Secretary Of State, to Hos. L.
/ O. O. Lamar, Coafsderate C0mmissioner az ST.
/ Petersburg, has been intercepted BY the Federal
/ bloekaders. 1t is 6rst made public By tba Ma
tiOnal IatslligsuesT, whose editor remarks;
1t is published for ths information Of sl con
| cernsd, as serving 70 snow fhs prudent AID sig
/ ni6cant reserve which the Confederate suthoIi-
ties prescribe to themselves p refusing 10 enter
into any engagement with foreign nations not
1 to revive the African sisvs trade.
/ Mr.. Benjamin, writing on the 18th Of Janu-
I sry last, SAYS;
/ SIR; Il has been suggested 20 this govern
ment rom a source Of unqusstioned aulhen-
/ tieity, that, after the recognition Of our inde-
/ pendsac9 By the European powers, an expects-
ton is generally entertained by them hist In our
treaties Of amity and eOmmerce, clause VIII Be
/ introduced making sipulatiOEs against the
/ African slavs-trsde. It is even thought that
neutral powers may be inclined 70 insist upon
/ the insertion Of such clause IS a sins qua non
I You are well aware how firmly fixed IN our
I Constitution is the policy Of this Confsdsraey
against the opening Of that trade, but we are IN
formed that false and insidious suggestions have
been made by the sgents Of the United States,
| at EarOpean courts, of our intention to change
/ our Constitution as soon Sc peace is restored
( and Of authorizing the importation Of slaves
q d
your intercourse with the Csbinst to which you
are accredited, that any such Impressions are en-
tsrtained you viii use every proper effort 70 re-
/ move them, and If az attempt is msde TO intro
/ duea into any treaty which yeu may be charged
with negotiating, stipulstiozs on the subiset iuss
mentioned, you viii assume, 10 behalf Of your
government. the position which, under the d.
rectiOn Of the President, now proceed to de-
vel0p.
Mr Bsniamin's argument is that ths sovs-
reign States Of tbs C0nlsdersey have de-
cided that the slsve trade shall NOS Be opened
and put it in tbs Constitution, and that, there
fore, the Confedsrale government has no au-
thorisy TO negotiate on the subject He sayss
This government unequivoeally aud absO-
lutely denies It's possession sf any power what
ever OYer the subject, and cannot entertain any
proposition IN relation 70 it.
While it Is totally beneath the dignity Of this
government to give assurance for the purpose Of
Tindicating itself from any unworthy suspicious
Of its good faith on sbis subise that may be dis
seminated By the agents Of rhe United States, &c
may not De improper that you should point ouE
the superior efficacy Of our constitutional pro-
vision to any treaty stipuiatiOns We could make.
Ths Consultation IS itself 3 treaty between the
States Of such binding force that It can not be
changed or a5rogsied without the deliberate and
concurrent action OF nine Out Of thirteen States
/ that compose the COlfsdsTacY. A treaty might
be abrogated BY party temporarily IN power
in our country, ct the sole risk Of disturbing
smicable relations with foreign power The
Constitution, unless by approach 10 unauirisv
could not be changed without tAe destruction Of
this government iiself and even should is Be-
possible hereafter to procure the consent Of the
number Of States necessary to change it- the
brns and delays designedly inearpossd By the
6rsHaers to check rash Innovations would give
annie time for the most nature dslioeration and
for strenuous Resistance on The part Of those op-
posed to such change.
Aftey al. It IS scarcely the part Of wisdom b
stteuspt 10 iuapese restraint on the actions ana
eonduet Of Yusn for al future time. The policy
sftbe coplsderaeY Is as fixed and immutable On
/ this subject as the impeFfection Of humau ua-
( tire permits human resolve to bo. 10 ad1i-
Z fansl agreements, tTeaiies or shpulations can
commit these States 70 the prohibition Of tls
African slave trade with more binding efficacy
than these they have themselves devised A
inst and generous confdence in their good faith
on this subject, exhibited by friendly powers.
viii ba far more efcscous than persistent efforts
h in7ucs this government % assume ths exer-
- ~ ,,oEers which It does not possess, and 60
+ hind tie Confsderscy By ties which w0uld have
( no constitutional validity.
Wa trust, therefore, that no unnecessary dis
srssions on this matter VIII be introduced into
vour negotiations. II, unfortunately, TINS Tod-
ance snould be ill-founded, you viii decline coa-
tinuing negotiations on your side, and transfer
/ tbem to us az home, where, IN such event, they
+ could be conducted with grealar facility end
/ advantage, under the direct supervision Of the
+ President
j. P. BENJA8uN.
Hon. /. Q. C. Lamar, commissioner, etc, s.
Petersburg.