Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-06

sea- where commerce continues to be carried on with
foreign nations in e few vessels possessed by Coned.
crate owners and were bockaded ports designated these
latter would at once be open the cOmmerce of the
world in anything not contraband. How far this would
be advantageous neutral Powers it remains for them
to determine. The article oil cotton alone taken from
such ports which are and hav0 not been bockaded
but commerce with which is intercepted by armed
cruisers occasionally passing along the coast would go
far to supply the pressing demand of European
lectures.
In this connection am instructed emphatcaly TO
discaim any policy in the Confederate States Govern
ment to prohibit discourage the export of cotton
It has been the policy of the enemy to propagate such
belief and perhaps to some extent it may have obtain
ed credence in Enrope On the contrary, am instrucf-
ed to assure her Maesys Government that if Europe is
without American cotton, it is because Europe has not
thought fit to send her ships TO America for cotton
Were the blockading Power required strictly to desig
nate the ports and places blockaded and to maintain
the by adequate force from those other ports thus
clearly ascertaned to be open to trade any Of
cotton required would be freely offered in exchange for
tho manufactures OF Europe. There is lack of this
great article of export in the Interior Of the So hern
Statcs 1t has not been brought to the seaboard be-
cause there was little demand for expectation and it
would otherwise be subject to depreciation by the
my. Wherever they approach ii destroyed by fire. TO
prevent its falling into their hands but let the bocka
ded ports be designated required by public law and
it will freely dow to the coast at other points thereby
opened to tue trade of the world.
There is one subject further in connection with this
alleged blockade to which directed TO call the at
tcntion of Her Majesty Government. IL is that
vessels of war Of the United States are stationed of the
mouth of the Rio Grande, with orders not 10 permit
shipments of cotton be made from the Mexican port
of Matamoras II is claimed that cotton taken from
the Confederate States to Matamoras is lawful subject
of capture. In proof Of this, | have the honor to
transmit herewith copy of extract of letter from
J. A. Quntero the commercial agent Of the Confede-
rate States Matamoras to the Secretary of State Of
the Confederate States.
| need not say TO your lordship that although
maritime blockade may, in sense be frustrated by
the carriage of merchandise, through the medium of
interior communication, from blockaded to neutral
port when shipped from the latter it il no breach of
the blockade yet this is done at the mouth Of the
Rio Grande, river forming the boundary between
Mexico and the Confederate State OF Texas.
| am &c,
]. NJ. Mason.
This letter contained number OF tabular statements
furnished by the Port Collectors to the Confederate gov
eminent. The two first forth lists of the vessels
which entered and cleared at the port Of Charleston in
the months of October November and December, 1851,
and in January, February and March, 1862 Similar
lists for the ports of Savannah, Galveston New Orleans
Pensacola, Apslachicola and LAvacs, Texas, also
forwarded
LAYARD TO Mr.. MASON
FOREIGN OFFICE, July TO- 1862.
SIR am directed by Earl Russell to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter Of the 7thinst respecting the
blockade of the Southern coast of North America
| am &C., A. ii. LAYARD.