The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-15

mission of lust clasna on the part of the United
states to require of Great Britain during this war,
disregard Of the recognised principles Of modern
public law and of der own conpacts, whenever any
questionable conduct of Great Britain, sin former
times" can be cited precedent. It is not IN
consistent with respect and admiration for the
great people whose government have given Us this
Warming to suggest that their history, like that OF
mankind in general, offers exceptional instances OF
iadefeBsible conduct sin former times; and We
may we'll deny the morality of violating recent en-
eagements through Difference to the evil prece-
dents of the past
After defending, in the manner just stated, the
course of the British Government spn the subject
| of the blockade. Her Majesty's Foreign Secretary
takes care leave no doubt of toe further purpose
!. of the British Government to- prevent our pur-
chase of vessels in Great Britain, while uppying
our enemies with rifles and other munitions OF war,
and states the intention to apply to Parliament tor
the furtherance of this design. He gives to the
United States the assurance that he will do in
their favor not only everything Mat the law of
nations requires" everything that the present for
egn enlistment act requires, hut that he will ask
the sanction OF Parliament "to further measures
that Her Majestys ministers may still add" This
language is SO unmstakabfy an offciel exposition
of the policy adopted by the British Government
in relation to affairs that the duty imposed on
| me by the Constitution, of giving you from time
10 time 'information of the state of the Confede-
racy," would not have been performed if had
failed to place It distinctly before YOU.
l refer you for fuller details on this subject to
the correspondence of the State Department,
which accom- panies this message. The facts which
have briefly narrated are, trust, sufficient to
able you the nature Of the neutral
lily protested in this war; 1t is not in my power
to apprse you to what extent the Government of
France shares the views SO unreservedly avowed
by that of Great Britain, no published correspon-
dence of the French Government on the subject
having been received. No public protest nor op-
position, however, has been made. by His imperial
Majesty against the prohibition trade with US,
imposed Oh French citizens BY the paper blockade
OF the United States. although L have reason to
believe that unsuccessful attempt was made on
his part to secure the asseat of the British Gov
eminent to course of action more consonant with
the dictates of public law and with the demands of
justice towards US. ....r.. ..
The partiality of Her Majesty's Government in
favor OF our enemies has been further evinced in
the marked difference of its. conduct on the sub
ject OF the purchase of supplies by the two bellig
erents. The difference has been conspicuous since
the very commencement Of the war; AS early as
the lst May, 1861, the British Minister in Wash
ington was informed by the Secretary of State of
the United States that he had sent agents to Eng
land, and that others would goso France to pur-
chase arms, and this fact was communicated to
the British Fore gn Office, which interposed no
objection. Yet in October of the same year, Earl
Russell entertained the complaint of the United
States Minister in London that the Confederate
States were importing contraband of war from the
island OF Nassau, directed inquiry into the matter
and obtained report from the authorities Of the
island denying the allegations, which report was
enclosed to Mr.. Adams, and received by him as
satisfactory evidence to dissipate "the suspicion
naturally thrown upon the authorities of Nassau
by that unwarrantable act" SO, too, when the
Confederate Government purchased in Great Bril-
tain, neutral country, (and with strict obser-
vance both of the law of nations and the municip-
al law of Great Brittany vessels which were sub
sequently armed and commissioned as vessels of
war, after they had been far removed from Eng
fish waters the British Government, in violation of
its own laws and in Differences to the importunate de-
mands of the United States, made Intellectual
tempt to seize vessel and did actually seize and
detain another which touched at the island of Mas
sau on her way to Confederate port, and sab ject
ed her to an unfounded prosecution at the very
time when cargoes of munitions of war were being
openly shipped from British ports to New FORK, to
be used i'll. warfare against Even now the pub
lie journals bring intelligence that the British Gov
eminent has ordered the seizure in British poet,
of two vessels, the suspicion that they may have
been sold to this Government, and that they may be
hereafter armed and EQUIPPED in our service, while
British subjects are engaged in Ireland by tens of
thousands to proceed to the United States for war
fare againts the Confederacy, in AcfiaHce both of
the law of nations and of the express of the
British statutes, and transported in British
ships, without effort at concealnent, to the ports
of the United States, there to be armed with rifles
imported from Great Britain and to Be employed
against people in a war for conquest. No roy
al provocative is invoked, executive interference
is inerpose j against this fragrant breach of munich
pal and international law, the part pur enemies,
while strained constructions are placed on existing
statutes, enaotments proposed, and question
able expedients devised for precudiDg the possbii
~ of purchase. by this Government, of vessels that
useless for bcllgerent purposes, unless hereaf
ter armed aud equipped outside of the neutral jurs
diction of Great Britain.
For nearly three years this government has exer-
cised unquestoned jurisdiction over many millions
of willing and united people 1t has met and de-
feated vast armies of invaders. who have in vain
sought it's subversion. Supported by the conf
4nce and affection of its citizens, the Cenfederaoy
has lacked no element which distinguishes an indie
pendent nation according to the principles of pub
JIG law. Its legislative, executive and judicial de-
partmens, each in its sphere have performed their
appropriate functions with regularity as u9dis-
turbed in time of profound peace. and the whole
energies Of the people have been developed in the
organization of vast armies, while their rights and
liberties lrfe rested under the protection of
the courts of Justice. This Confederacy is either
independent, sor tits Deepen dency of the United
States. for no other earthly power claims the right
to govern it. Without one historic fact which
the pretension can rest without line word of