The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-03
THE DISMISSAL OF THE coNsULs.
.Synopsis Of Correspondence.

ana 10 quit the Confederacy, is published in the
Richmond papers. 1t would occupy some half a
dozen columns of our paper, and as we cannot well
spare SO much room for it, we will give its sub
stance.
The hrst letter is of the very recent date of the
9Th Oct, from Mr.. Benjamin, Secretary of State,
to Mr.. Shdell, Confederate COMMISSIONER 10 France
addressed to him with the ostensible motive of
correcting false reports aud communicating the
facts to the French government with an assurance
that there is no reason for treating French consuls
In the same way but for the real reason, no doubt,
that Mr.. Mason has left England and there was
no one else to whom to address IL.
Mr. Benjamin rectrs the facts of the Confed
crate government allowing the consuls to remain
In the exercise OF their functions without the for
mafty OF being accredited to the Confederacv. so
Tong as their conduct was proper; but when Consul
Moore interfered with the authority of the Con
fedcrate government, aud refused to produce his
commission, he was dismissed Next came an as
sumption by British fuuctionaries in the enemy's
country to exercise authority in the Coufcderate
States thus ignoring the existence Of the Coufed
crate government, which was stopped by the Prcsi-
dent torbdding any direct communication by tire
British Consuls here with the British officials in
the United States
Soon after this, the British government removed
Its Consul ar Mobile for allowing a British ship of
war to receive and transport 20 England Sl55,000
In SPECIE the interest due by the State of Alabama
on its debt in Loudon. Mr. Benjamin remarks at
length on the custom of nations to assist ia the
maintenance of the public faith Of each other; and
rcfutes very effectually the absurd plea of Earl
Russell that the transmission Of the specie was
"alding of the bellisercnts against the other"
Within the last few days the President has
learned that two of the three British Consuls
naming here had received instructions in regard
to British residents which it is impossible to toll
crate. The conscription law embraced all resi-
dents capable of bearing arms, who required
by it to assist in protecting their own homes from
invasion, their own property from pluuder, their
own families from cruel outrage. This was not
done till year after the war had begun, giving
full time for all foreigners to depart " no did not
choose to perform these imperative obligations
The foreign Consus objected to their subjects be-
ing conscribcd, whereupon the President directed
that mere sojourners should not be included under
the law, but only such had become citizens de
jure or bad rendered themselves liable under the
laws of nations. To this liberal interpretation the
British government dcmurred strongly, "unless
foreigners were allowed reasonable period to
quit ;" and as that was allowed and had never been
refused Mr.. Benz jamin took exception to the
demurrer Since that time the ConSuls have
made frequent requests to have English subjects
relieved which was always done when the facts
ness so loosely that they were deceived into claim
ing exemption for men who were proven to be
citizens OF the Contederacy. Finally the Consuls
at Savannah and Charleston 'assSft the existence
of instructions from their Government, under
which, Instead of advising British subjects to re-
sort to the courts of justice, always open for the
redress OF grievances, or to apply to this Govern
ment for protection against any harsh or Unjust
treatment by its subordinates, they deem it duty
to counsel enlisted soldiers to judge foS them
selves of their right exemption, to refuse obe-
dience to the Confederate laws and authority, and
even exhort them to open mutiuy in face of the
enemy" This unwarrautabe assumption has
caused the dismissal of ali the British Consuls
In closing hio letter Mr. Benjamin says:
II have been induced to place the whole subject
fully in your possession, by reason of statemcnt
made by Consul Fullarton to the Governor OF icor-
gia, that in the event of failure Of his rcmon-
strances to produce the exemption of all British
subjects from service, he Is instructed to state that
: the Governments in Europe interested IN this
question will unite in making such representations
as will secure TO aliens this desired exemption
The menace here implied would require
swer if it were not made prUfessedy under instruc-
tions. 1t is scarcely necessary say to you that
the action of the President in repelling with deci
sion any attempt by foreign officials to arrogate
sovereign rights within our limits, to interfere
of their own authority with the execution of
laws would not be affected in the slightest degree
by representations from any source, however ex
alted. This is the only point on which the Presi
dent has had occasion to act, and on this point
there is no room for discussion"
Next comes letter Of same date Oct Sth. from
Mr. Benjamin to Mr. FulIarton, British consul at
Savannah, reciting this last crownng outrage, and
informing him that such assumption Of iuris
diction aud cncroachment on the sovereignty of
tho, CoDfeGeracy cannot be tolerated for a moment;
that the British cOnsus can longer be permit
ted to exercise their functions even reside with
in the limits of the Contederacy. They must
promptly depart.
Then follows long letter dated lllh june,
from Dir Benjamin to Mr Mason, stating that on
the 18th May Mr. Cridland called upon him and
denied the truth of statement that day made in
the Whig, that be, Mr. c., was going to Mobile
as British Consul. He said he was going there
as private individual, unoffcially. He also had
a statement 70 the same effect published in the
Whig the next day. Yet when he arrived at Mo-
bile he exhibited an official paper from Lord Ly-
ons. II. 8. Minister at Washington, appointing
him Consul at Mobile. to take the place of the
Consul who had been removed for allowing the
shipment of specie, above mentioned. Mr. Benja-
min discusses at great length and with conclusive
ability this act Of attempting TO arrest that ship
ment and thereby to dishouor the credit Of the
State of Alabama By Hthe obligations imposed