The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-10-28
MIR, DENJAMIN 10 MIR. FULLARToN.

MR., BENJAMIN TO MR.. FULLARToH.
DEPT OF STATE, RIoHMoND)
October 3, 1868
SiT:--YOur letters of the LIST and Sd
inst. have been received. You inform this
Government that, "under your instruc-
tions, you have felt il TO be your duty to
advise British subjects that while they
ought TO acquiesce in the service required
90 long as il is restricted to the mainten.
ance Of internal peace and order, when
ever they shall be brought into actual
conflict with the forces of the United
States, whether under the State or Con-
federate Governmant the service 80 re-
quired is such as they cannot be expec-
ted TO perform"
Your correspondence with the Cover
nor of Georgia leaves no doubt of the
meaning intended to be conveyed by this
language. In that correspondence you
state that, "under instructions, you have
felt yourself compelled to advise those
drafted TO acquiesoe until called from
their homes, or to meet the United States
forces in actual conflict; butin that event
10 throw down their arms and refuse TO
render service directly in the teeth of
her Majesty's proclamation, which would
incur the severe penalties denounced in
the neutrality act"
In communication from the acting
British Consul in Charleston, to the mil
itary authorities, he also has informed
them he "hAs advised the British sub
jects generally to acquiesce in the State
military organizations, but at the same
time he informed them that in the event
the militia should be brought into con-
fiict with the forces of the United States,
either before or after being turned over
| to the Confederate Government, the SER
/ vices required of them would be such aa
British subjects could not be expected "a
perform"
1t thus appears that the Consular A
gents of the British Government have
been instructed not to. confine them
selves to an appeal for redress, either 70
courts Of jNstice or TO this Government
whenever they conceive that grounds ex.
ist for complaint against the Confederate
authorities in their treatment of British
subjects, Gan appeal which has in no cas-
been made without receiving just oonsid
eration,) but that they assume the pow
or of determining for themselves wheth
er enlisted soldiers of the COnfederacy
are properly bound 10 its service; tina
they even arrogate the right to interior
directly with the execution of the Con
federate laws, and to advise soldiers o
the Confederate armies TO throw dow
their arms in the face of the enemy.
This assumption of jurisdiction by foreig
| officials sgitain the territory Of the Coryedera
| en-, and this encrodchnent ON its sovereiglt
cannot be tolerated for moment: and tn
President has no hesitation in directin
that the Consuls and Consular Agents {
the British Government be notified thI
they can no longer be permitted to ererci'
their functions or eVen reside loithin the lin
its of Ie Coryederacy.
am directed, therefore, by the Pres
dent to communicate to you this Orde
that you promptly depart from the Coz
: federacy, aud that in the meantime 20
cease to exercise any Consular function
within its limits.
am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
fIl j. P. BENJAMIE, Sec. of State
, A. FULLARTON, ESQ.,, Savannah, Ga.