Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-22

meut already explained and their eject Is clearly to
reopen TO the prejudice Of the Oonederacy one Of the
very disputed questions on the law Of blockade which
the Congress of Paris profssed to settle The impor-
Of this change readily illustrated by taking one
of cur ports example. There is evident danger
in entering the port of Wilmington from the presence
of bockadng force and by this test the blockade is
effective. Access is not really prevented by the
blockadng feet to the port for steamers con-
tnuay arriving and departing, 80 that tried by this
test the blockade is Ineffective and invalid The JUS
tce If complaint this point is manifest as to
leave little for doubt that further reflection will
induce the British Government to give such assur-
ances as will eacs the painful impressions that would
result from its language, if left unexplained.
From the foregoing remarks you will perceive that
during nearytwo years of struggle in which every
ergy OF our country has been evoked for maintaining
its very existence the neutral nations of Europe have
pursued policy which nominalIy impartial has been
practically most favorable to our enemies and most DE-
tr mental 10
The exercise of the neutral right of refusing entry
into their ports to prizes taken by both begerents,
emnenty burtful to the Conedelacy. 1t was stern
ly asserted and maintained.
The exercise of the neutral right of commerce with
bellgerent whose ports not bockaded by fleets su
cent really to prevent Them would have been
eminently burtful 10 the United States, 1t CON-
PLEASANTLY abandoued
The duty of neutral States to receive With cor
diaity and rtcogn re with respect any new conted-
GRAFTON that independent States may think proper to
form was too clear admit of denial but its postpone
ment was emineny beneficial to The United States and
detrimental to the Conlederacy Il IVES postponed.
Ia ibis review of relations with the neutral na-
tions of Europe it has been my purpose point
distinctly that this Government has complaint 10
make that those nations DECLARED their utrality. l.
could neither expect desire more. The complaint is
that the Neutrality has been rather nominal than real
and that recognized neutral rights have been alternate
ly asserted aud waived in such TO bear with
eat severity US, and to confer signal advantages
On enemy.
have hitherto rerained from calling to your atten-
tion this condition OF relations With foreign
ior various be chief OF THESE was the tear
that q statement OF our Just grounds OF complaint
against Of policy Injurious to eour interests
might be misconstrued into an appeal for aid ice
quai as we in mere numbers and available re-
uTces to enenlts were CONSCIOUS OF powers OF
stance in relation to which Europe iucredulops
thertts IRE peculiarly la Ole
to be derstood. Proudly sci reliant, the Con-
fedeIacy knowing full well the chat OF the cones
into which it forced with full trust in the superior
qualities OF its population, the superior vaor OF its sol
ders the superb skill OF its Generals and above all 10
the Justice of its cause felt need to appeal for TIE
tenaDce Of its rights to other earthly aids AID il
began a"d has continued this struggle with the. calm
confidence inspired in thrse who with conscious
ness of right invoke the Divine blessing their
cause. This confidence has been 60 assured that we
haVe yided to dependency under defeat nor do
feel ubdue tlation at the present brighter prospect
OF successful issue to our contest 1t is III refore be
Cause cur just grounds of complaint longer be
misrepresented that lay them clearly before you 1t
seems to me now proper to give you the information,
and though imusdiate results may be attained it
well that truth should be preserved and recorded. Il
is we'll that those who to follow Us should under
stand the full nature and character OF the tremendous
Ict in which the blood OF people has been pour
ed out like water and in whica they have rtssted
aided the shock OF hosts which would have suiced to
overthrow many of the powers which by their hesita
ton in according rights as Independent nation
~
is ence 1t may be too that if in future times uDriend
~ discussions not anticipated shall unfortunately
arise between this Contderacy and some European pow
err the recnt elton of forbearance under the grev
auces which have enumerated, may be evoked with
happy influence il preventing any serious Disturbances
of peaceful relations.
It would not be proper the close my remarks The
subject OF our foreign relations without vertiDg to
the fact that the correspondence between the Cabinets
of France Great Britain and Russia recently published
indicates gratifying advance in the appreciation by
those governments of the true interests Of mankind
involved in the on this continent. 1t is to the
ghtened ruler of the French patton that the public feel
ing of Eurvpe is ndebted for the first official exhibition
OF its sympathy for the suerings endured by this peo
pie with much herosm; OF its horror at the awful
mage with which the progress of the has been mark
ed aud of its desire fer speedy peace. The clear and
direct ntimacn contained in the language of the French
Dote that ability to maintain independence has
been fully established was not cOnroverted by the
of either of the Cabinets to which it address
ed Tt ia indeed difficult to conceive just ground for
longer delay this subject after reading the follow
ing statement Of facts contained in the letter emanatiDg
from the minister of his Imperial Majesty "There has
been established from the very beginning of this war;
equilibrium of forces between the begerents which has
since been almost constantly maintained, and, after the
splitting of so much blood they to-day, in this
spect in situation which has not sensibly changed
Nothing author!ses the provision that decisive
military operations will shortly occur. According to
the last advces received 10 Europe the two armies were
on the contrary, in condition which permitted neither
to hope within a short deap advantages sufficiently
marked turn the balance definitely and accelerate
the conclusion of peace AS this has never
protested the intention OF copquerpg the United States
but simply asserted it's ability to defend itself agans
beng conquered by that power may safely conclude
that The claims Of this Confederacy to its just place in
the family OF nations cannot long be withheld, after g.
frank and formal admission of its capacity to cope,
on equal terms with aggressive foes, and to main
tain Itself against their attempts to obtain decisive
suits by aTnls
It MY pair u duty again to inform you of the re
newed examples of every conceivable atrocity commit
led by the ARMED forcs of the United States, differ
ent points within the Confederacy, and which must
sterp indel;be infamy not only the perpetrators
their superiors who, havicg the power to ch
hese outrages on humanity, rumerous and we'll authen
heated they have been, have not YET, in single in
stance of which sm aware inflicted punishment On the
wroDgdOers Since my last communication to you, one
! neral Mcneil murdered seven prisoners of war in
Old blood and the demand for bis punishment has re
DaiLed dissatisfied. The government of the United
Saes after promising examination and explanatI n
citation to the charges made against General b nj amin
F. Buttr has, hy its subs 1eEt silence after repeated
forts my part to obtain The subfct
DOT only admitted bis guilt but sanctioned it by az qn
sence and have accordingly branded this criminal as
outlaw and directed his eXecuuo1 in 1expiation OF
lis crimes if be should fall into the hands of any of our
Re- mt have tirI