Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-06


The north combats, as England did formerly
to preserve her supremacy, and We TO con
quer our independence" &c.
But we give the actual words:
81 told Mr.. Benjamin Writes M. Mercier)
that the object ofmy visit was simply to learn
for myself, the real state of affairs, and that /
came to ask his aid in attaining it. He re-
piled that he would assist me with the great.
est Of pleasure, and that he would be charmed
if | arrived at the truth, which. according to
all he could gather, appeared to be little
known in the north.
give you summary, NJ. lie Ministre, of
what Mr.. Benjamin said to me, and what l
have learned from different conversations
held while in Richmond 'We have q was
told) relied too much on Europe and the pow.
er Of commercial interests; but, however
that may be, you will be convinced that we
are determined to conquer our independence
at all hazards. On this point the sentiments
of our people are unanimous. They have al
ready suffered much, but they will endure far
more if necessary, to accomplish their object.
We do not disguise from ourselves that the
federals possess infinitely superior resources,
and the command of the ocean; that they
may III the long run, make themselves mas
tiers of our posts. But in capturing our cities
they will find only women, old men and
children. The whole population capable of
bearing arms, will withdraw into the interior,
beyond the reach of gunboats, and inpresence
of such a resistance, the north will be obliged
to yield. We remember that, in the war of
independence, the English momentarily held
possession of nearly all the cities on the coast,
but succumbed, Notwithstanding. The same
result will now occur The present situation
10 lxr 1ilar To rl,at urnc lyn
the English the north fights to retain its
power and wealth, and we, like Americans,
fight for independence. Our people are to-
day animated by unmistakeable sentiments
Look at the women; they are foremost in
urging their husbands, their sons, their broth
ers, to take up arms. By their habits, our
people are better prepared for a military life
than those of the north, AMI, on equal terms,
our troops have always had the advantage.
Our measures are taken to hold Richmond as
long as possible, and if, at last, we should be
forced to abandon Virginia. it would certainly
bea heavy loss to us, but we should not de-
spair. Moreover, we can, if absolutely nee
eSsary, defend ourselves, but tile north cannot
attack us without money. On the other hand,
we will not hesitate an instant to burn our cot
ton and our tobacco rather than permit them
total into the hands of the enemy.
have met here every important public per-
sonage, and all have held the same language,
and expressed to me the same sentiments.
Among these persons many are known for the
moderation of their character, and for their
opposition to secession at the outset of the
quarrel The question now arises whether
the determinations so unanimously expressed
to me, are strong enough to resist every trial !?
| cannot attempt to decide, but | see many
reasons for not doubling their perfect sinceri-
ty at this moment. How, otherwise, could
be explained the entire submission with which
the people accept all the mlseries to which
circumstances condemn them?
In the following dispatch, dated July %,
1862 NJ Thouvenel shows himself still more
excited (e0su) by the duration of the war, the
Affections of which had, for Europe, just been
aggravated by the adoption OF the new tariff,
which was almost equivalent to closing the
United States market. France has persisted
in maintaining the strictest neutrality, ''but it
is impossible to dissimulate that no govern
ment can remain indefinitely deaf to the COM
plants arising around it, when these COM
plants are the echo of the general sentiment
of the country" Snow it is easy to per-
ceive," says the minister, ''that the necessity
of solution Of the American conflict appears
each day more pressing, while at the same
IlluG lllG CicdTcSI lllluuS VI EUROPE IeHu iHOFG
and more to doubt the possibility of a re-es-
Enlistment of the Union to its former condi-
ton. + 1t would be an error
to suppose that an untavorable spirit am sen =
timent peu Jierveilane) toward the federal
government at all induces this opinion. No
one desires separation, but congiRced that 1t
as inegitdble, it is desirable that it should be
made under relations the most favorable to
the Interior relations of the two states to which
it will give BIRTH
This dispatch, in which NJ. Thouvenel gave
his clearest impressions on the issue of the
war, was met BY another dispatch from NJ.
Mercief, dated the 10th of the same month,
in which the writer ''does not think it piece
of temerity to suppose that the hour of peace
may not be very tar off," comparing the ar
engagements then existing with those Of the
present year, and he asks whether 'this is
not the moment when European mediation
would be great good and supported by pub
lie opinion?"
The imperial government, however, did
believe that the suspicious moment had ar
rived, and on the 18th of September, 1862, M.
Thouvenel asked NJ. MERCER to gather togeth-
er all the information he could on this matter.
Later, in a dispatch dated Nov. 6, and signed
not by Thouyenel, but by NJ. Drouyn de
Lhuys, this latter gave to NJ. MERCER a conf
dental copy of the communication which he
had Just addressed to London and st. Peters
burg, adding that he chad no doubt as the
benefit to the United States of a moderately
long armistice," (une trece de quelque dWree,)
and ''that he had at least the association IN
our amiable efforts of the two great powers
which we believe to be toward the United
States animated by feelings as friendly as our
own"
of November that the then recent elections
indicated Il change of opinion, diversity of
aspirations, but ''seemed to be definitely, and
above all in their practical consequences, al
together in opposition to the war to the end"
M. Mercier then believes it ''opportune for
the French government to prepare to take
some cOnciliatory steps, which might aid i'll
the re-establishment Of peace"
Eight days later-the 18th of November
he said on the same subject, that the essential
point to be attained hy mediator, was to pre-
vent the renewal of hostilities in the spring,
because if a new campaign should be then be-
gun, it would be very difficult to arrest it, and
the culture of cotton, beginning in March,
would be abandoned, so that it would be diff
cult to say when it would be ever resumed.
But on exactly the same day, Nov. Is, M.
Drouyn de LHuys announced to M. MERCER
the refusal of England and Russia to unite in
the effort made by the French government,
unknown to its minister at Washington,
though in conformity with his known views.
NJ. Drouyn de L'Huys announces that owing
IN fha a., 10 fhO