Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-07

herein before citedtbat is TO say whether blockade
Is to be considered as effective when maintained at an
enemys port By force sufficient to create evident
danger OF entering leaving it. and not alone where
sufficient really TO prevent access,
To that communication was honored only by reply
from the Hon A. H. Layard, dated the Foreign Of
ice on tie 10th of July, informing that he d.
rect by your ordsbip 10 acknoW ledge its acttt
have since been honored by any communication from
your lordshp furnishing an answer to the specific and
important inquiry thus made under instruc ions from my
government.
On the 4lh of August following transmitted to tie
Secretary of State of the Confederate States q
COPY of my communication to your lordshp OF the 7th
of July, together with copy of the reply OF Mr. La
yard and asked for further instructions made necessary
by the silence of the Foreign Office in regard TO the ill.,
quiries thus submitted.
have now, within few days past, received des-
patch from the Secretary of State in reply to mine of
the 4th of August the of which am directed to
communicate TO your lordshp.
am instructed to say that from the papers thus sub
mi:ted it would appear 30 the President that the gov
eminent of her Majesty after having invited the gov
eminent of the Confederate States to concur in the
adoption of certain principles of international law and
sfe having obtained its assent assumed in official des-
patches to derogae from the principles thus adopted to
the prejudice Of the interests and rights Of the Conede
racy and that upon being approached, in respectful
and temperate terms with request for explanation on
/ u
that Cabinet refused a reply.
That her Majesty's government have just
ground for refusing the explanation asked because oil
the absence of the recognition of the independence OF
the Confederate States by the other nations of the
world II was not in the character of recognized in.
dependent nation, but in that Of recognized bellger
cnt, that the two leading Powers Of Western Europe
Approached the government Of those States with pro.
position for the adoption of certain principles of public
law as rules which shall govern the mutual relations
between the people of the Confederacy beligerenls
and the nations of Europe neuras during the pend.
ing war.
Two of these rules were for the special benefit of
Great Britain as one Of those neutral powers 1t was
agreed that her flag should cover enemy's goods and
that her goods should be safe under the enemys flag
The former of these two rules conceded to her. as a
neutral rights which she had sternly refused when
herself belligerent with single temporary waiver
thereof in her late war with Russia To these spula
tons in her favor the government of the Confederate
States will adhere with scrupulous fidelity. On the part
OF her Maesty's government it was agreed that no
blockade should be considered binding unless main
tanned by force sufficient really to prevent access to
the coast of the enemy" and yet the first occasion
which arose for the application of this the only stipu
aton that could be of practical benefit to the Conede
rate States during the war; Her Maestys Secretary OF
State for Foreign Affairs, in official despatch pub
lished to the world appends qualification which in
effect DESTROYS It's whole value and when appealed to
Tor an eApdhatoh VI es aPPatehI preac vi al exist
ing solemn agreement between the neutral and the bel
ligerent declines an answer.
In view of these facts instructed by the Presi.
dent to address to your lOrdShp Her Maestys Sec
rotary of State for Foreign Affairs this formal protest
ON the part OF the Government of the Confederate
States against the apparent f not executed purpose
Her Majestys Government change modify to the
prejudice Of the Conlederacy the doctrine in relation
to blockade TO which the faith of Her Majesty's
Government is, by that Of the Confederate States con-
sidered to be pledged.
am further instructed to say that the President alb
stains for the present. from taking any further action
than by his protest thus presented, and accompany
it by the expression of his regret that such painful i'm
pressions should be produced his mind by so unex
pected result from the first agreement understand
ing between the Government OF the Confederate States
and bat of Her Majesty.
have, &c,
j. H. MASON