Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-10-06

the Government in organizing the force OF
5000 men for home defence, but am Obliged
to conclude that YOU have misunderstood me
when l admitted the right of the State to
: claim the services of British subjects resident
within its limits for the purpose of maintain
ing internal order, and even to limited eX-
tent to defend the places of their residence
aoninst local invasion by Il foreign power.-
q Such service might be rendered by them in
the event of war by a foreign power, but not
in cirH war like that which now RACES on
this Continent.
$ "lIcr Majesty's Government consider that
the p'ainest notions of reason and justice for
bid that foreigner, admitted t. reside for
peaceful purposes in State forming part OF
Federal Union, should be compelled by that
STATE to take active part in hostllti"s
, other States which, when he became Il resi-
dent, were members of one and the same Con-
fcdcracy While acknowledging the right OF
the State, under prsSent circumstances, to the
: services IF British subjects for patrol or police
duty. her Majesty's Government object TO any
further extension of such service. l have
consequently, under instructions, felt myself
compelled to advice those drafted, to acquiesce
in the duty until they are required to leave
their immediate homes, or to meet the United
States forces in actual conflict, in that erent 10
Nro,c dorm Meir arms 0nd refuse to render a
service, the performance of which would run
directly in the teeth of her Maiesty's procla-
nation and render them liable to the severe
penalties denounced against violation of the
strict neutrality so strongly insisted on in
that document"
And he adds this menace:
The dispatches which have received from
the British Government, relative to compul-
sorry service, are strong. L am instructed to
demonstrate in the strongest terms against all
! attempts 10 force British. subjects to take up
arms. Should these remonstrances fail the
Governments in Europe, interested in this
question, will unite in making such rcpresen-
,ations rs will secure to aliens this desired ex-
Lcmption.'
70 this the Governor replies ns becomes
him:
"IOu virtually deny that the United States
is foreign power, and claim that Georgia is
still component part Of the Government of
| the United States. You have probably been
| influenced in. your persistence in this error by
! the iUrhcarance Of the Government and peO-
ple of the Confederate States in permitting
| her Ma. cSty's Consuls to remain among us in
| the exercise Of the functions of position to
| which they were originally accredited by tho
| Government of the United States. As tits no
part Of my purpose to enter into an argument
| 70 convince you that the United States is an
| hostile power foreign to Georgia, will dis.
| miss this part of the controversy with the
single remark, that if your pretensions be
correct, your appeal ,t1f tie protection Of
Hriti$h Subjects resident riUin this STATE should
hire been made 10 the Government NJ Washing.
TAP, und not to nc.
You are pleased to inform me that You
have felt compelled to advise those drafted
- acquiesce in the duty until they are re-
! quircl 70 leave their immediate homes. or to
meet the United States forces in actual con-
hict--in that event to throw down their arms
and refuse to render service, the perform
ancc Of which would run directly in the teeth
OF her Majesty's proclamation, &c. 1t is wor
Thy Of remark that the language you employ
is to leave their immediate homes, or TO meet
the United States forces in actual conflict
Your advice, then, to British subjects, If cor
rcctly understand it, is that when the United
States forces attack the immediate locality of
their homes or their own houses they are not
to defend them, as required by the laws of
cations. against such local invasion: but they
are to throw down their arms and refuse to
fight for the protection of their domicileS. In
reply to this it is my duty to inform you that
can neither be bound by your pretersions
that the United States is not a power foreign
Majesty by proclamation to change the laws of
nations, and insist upon maintaining her sub
ects here and exempting them from the per-
fJrmancc of the duties imposed upon them by
the laws Of nations. When the troops now
4 c.ol lo- Il fba
ment Of the Confederate States, to be held in
readiness to repel local invasion, If they should,
upon the approach Of an hostile force, follow
your advice, and throw down their arms, that
Government will have the power to pardon for
such conduct. or to strike their names from its
muster rolls if it chooses to do so; but if an ut
tack should lie made by the enemy upon the
immediate locality of their homes. while con-
troll and command the forces to which they are
attached. and they should be guilty of conduct
50 unnatural and unmanly "a to throw down
their arms and refuse to defend their domiciles,
they will be promptly dealt with MS citizens Of
this State would be should they be guilty of
such dishonorable delinquency
Here it is to be observed that it was pru-
dent in the Governor to answer only for HIM
self he knows very well what he will do,
while he commands the State Militia, to any
os the State force who may throw down their
arms in face of the enemy, Lut he cannot tell
what the Confederate authorities might do in
such case, with Mr. benjamin Secretary of
State.
Mr.. Fullarton had asked if there would be
any obstacle to the British residents leaving
the country, even if already drafted, and init
mates that this would deprive the Confederacy
Of artizans aud mechanics whose services
were Of "incstimahle yulue"-tlle Governor
responds:
Its gratifying to know that there is no
law of nations or Of this State which throws
any distractions irs the way Of the removal of
any British subject from the State who is net
satisfied with the privileges and protection
which he enjoys. You remind mo, however,
that not few of them are mechanics, of WHOSE
inestimable services ut this crisis the Confede-
racy will be deprived in case of their removal.
These mechanics have no doubt remained in
this State because they felt it their interest to
remain. And in reference to them, this State
will very cheerfully adopt the rule which gen
orally controls the British government. She
will consult her own interest," and will c1emnt
from military service for local defeSce such
mechanics who are aliens. as choose to re-
main, and as will he more scrviceable in that
capacity"
Mr.. Fullarton next begins operation, by de-
mandiug leave TO quit the State fOrJ. d. and +. N.
KicI, 1.-TWO drafted British subjects" We give
the whole Of the Governors reply, which closes
The correspondence, as we find it in the Atlanta
.Intei,iccncrr:''