Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-17
LATE NoRrnERS NEws.

The subioined summary is made upfrom late Northern
papers received this Office Some attentcnis devoted
the late news from Europe giving rumoH of propo
stion from Me Emperor Napoleon to send delegates 20
a convention, The New York Times says:
As military operations are not 10 cease pendna1he
proposed convention re no harm from comfis2
soners from North and South meeting in Montreal or
Mexico and discussing the whole subject In the light Of
the existing situation. r
Tie New York Tribune remarks;
As the rurnor comes from several independent sour.
ces il IS probably not without foundation If true il -
in effect only proposition TO begerents to settle their
controversy by a Congress of their If rejected or
accepted and followed by settlement there is still len
70 the Emperor the alternative of Offering hsoWn friendly
Offices. In either hat sill probably be the next
step unless government shhl seize this occasion n
assure the Emperor that offer Of mediation Whnteve
will be acceptable
The journal Of Commerce says:
The practical working Of such commission might ba
matter Of doubt 1t could not be clothed with any
powers while it might pave the way TO more conclusive
because more constitutional counsels The idea is freed
from the objections which attach TO all plans Of media
on and possesses the good tenure OF leaving 70 AmeT
cans the settlement Of their quarre and OF recon-
meuding them TO try talking as well as fighting. VI
SEWARD DAYTON AND THE FRENCH MINISTER.
Among the papers communicated to the United States
Senate the l2th was copy Of correspondence be-
tween Seward and Dayton, concerning the proposition
of mediation BY the Emperor Napoleon, and the com!
nuncatons which passed between Minister Dayton and
II. Drouyn de rHuys. Commenting upon this cores
pondence the New York Herald says:
Baron de Mereer's letter and Mr.. Stewards vigorous
% it, published in the Herald, have caused
great sensation in diplomatic circles at Washington.
Ia this city considerable excitement was caused by the
correspondence in question: as from its tone Is easy
TO resee that future relations between Minister Of
Foreign Affairs and the Emperor Nappleons Minister
will be extremely unpleasant. We arc at a Oss to I'M
erstand what course NJ MERCER pursue save that
of demanding his passports. lie made an assertion
compromising Secretary OF State, Who in the most
Instinct manner, conradIcs his statement. Between
,epuemen the Gar Nicholas would say, in private
life the course 10 pursue would be clear; between
persons occupying the high positions which Mr.. Seward
md Baron MERCER respectively fill it becomes matter
nard TO decide At this stage OF affairs 1t is 70 be
oped that all unpleasant complications may be avoided;
ont we feel assured that the letters which have just
een made public by the French Minister and Mr.. Seward
,dded 10 the Emperor Napoeon's mssiye to General
Forey upon the Mexican question: TO say nothing of the
ntrigues ofahe French Consuls against Texas, will
use III feelings between the people Of this country and
France
IRON the commencement of the rebellion we're in.
lined 10 look upon France a friend She not
making an Illicit commerce with the rebels She made
10 endeavors TO break blockade and sold ships
the insurgents; nor did she construct and fit out pr
te vessels prey upon our commerce. 80 We felt an-
ioyed at England who did all this aud we were friendly
disposed towards France, who DID not But now it is
oreed upon our conviction from all sides that France is
ALLY inmicll TO US We have the assertion from the
,ihnpror himself who says that France must stay
progress on this continent and who chivalrousy under
.Aes tnG task a moment when we are hampeted by
dgantic rebellion. NJ MERCER states that he went to
= n. l.
lty contradicts this assertion. Singulary enough at
MS iuncture of affairs, We fnd in the columns OF
french periodical article which goes 70 prove that NJ
ercier went TO Richmond with other motives than those
,s scknowle 'ges. NJ. Cucheva Clariguy, writer in
ne service of the French Government states in the An
.ars des Der MoHde that il French influence that
determined the ConiederdteS to defend Richmond. II
nust be borne in mind that the date of Mr. Mercies
lsit 10 Richmond the rebels were inclined 10 abandon
nat place and that they had deermiaedupon removing
he seat Of government to some other city. They after
I Mercer's visit concluded to remain, and did
.ssfnlly; and now nnd prominent French writer
suriuy ia that Richmond held out the in tgation Of
rance II IA ciesrthst NJ Oucheval Cargny would
ave h,-aried this statement in Paris had been
fully informed 1pon tie subject
In. yoraUs statements rSade constantly by the
,utcial organs OF the French governmental regards
Ne position OF our administration; their desire that
rance should mediate ell, Of course with view 10 the
.sverance Of the Union, aye persisted in with bad
race knowing rs they do how offensive TO loyal AEer
ans would be aEy foreign Intervention or meddhng-
We fear that any sbrupt or incau'ious policy this
n,pt might result badly for the entente cprdidie be-
yeen cur government ami thst Of the Emperor Nspo.
,ou his alliance nth England IS on ito last legs, and
"a he il ambitions TO elvatc TIE attn at the expense
II our powtr aud P5e9trc be might gladly seize upon
ny occasion TO Esuner the seUtance Of good
ceiling which exists between rs and thus have done al
,gether with the AngoSSI -ons We would warn our
nfhorities AZ Washington 10 exercise the greatest eau
ior and delicac- il handling MERCER, and the la9st
,ntiring expedition IN binding ironclGd5 and armng
them heavily for If must have foreign let
~ all means be prepared Tor H.
M Stewards straightforward letters in connection
Win the correspondence between Mr.. Dayton and Mr.
lrouyn de rHuys which We publish to-SLy put him be
IRE the people in the best light As regards the charges
aade against him by Baron MERCER, he makes de-
ations nor explanations but uncompromlsiugly denies
nem This places NJ. Mercier in q most unpleasant pre-
Icament and will most likely lead TO his recall he
ana longer continue his relations with Mr. Seward.
4 remains 70 be seen how the Emperor will look upon
he matter and as We said above a. long "a doubt
.Sists let us prepare for the worst The Emperor Of
ne French should he be ncaed TO take advantage of
his incident will iud that his Calculations TO the
liminNon Of poSeI are sadly ut variance with the
cal state of the case. foreign thrust upon
uch moment would rouse the people Of the North 20
display their real power, and the world would tbrn
md out what twenty-five millions of people, moved by
single purpose accomplish II is useless for us to
dd how greatly any trouble with France is TO be depre
.ated but We must insist upon the maintenance OF our
national dignity and firm demeanor towards those who
would take advantage of troubles to deeply WRONG
rs.
SIGNS OF THE TINES.
writer in the West Chester (Pa) Jeersonian, CIV
ing review Of the events OF the times makes some
interesting statements portion Of which we'copy: