The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-24

dispatch would shortly be sent by NJ. Drouyn &c
L'huys to NJ. MERCER, requesting him to sugges,'
on suitable occasion, the proprety of appointing
commissioners to treat with the South for peace
and for Union, if possble if not possible for such
terms of separation as may be eventually agreed
rnon This communication was submitted by
Drown de L'huys to the Emperor on the 9th, and
returned by him on the 18th. 1t contains the toll
lowing propositions
F1ra.-No interference of any kind by foreign
power
Srcond-It does not require or ask for any ces-
sa;ion of hostilties pending the negotiations; but
like the negotiations for peace in 1873, between
the !nitcG States and Great Britain, permits
ever1 thing to proceed as II no enorts i'r se''e
ment were being made.
Then follows the communication Of the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs to NJ MERCER. The
Minister saws. "The little success Of our over
lures might chill the interest with which We fol-
low the fluctuations of this contest, but the sentl
ment TO which we have yielded is too sincere for
indifference to find place in thoughts, that
we should cease to be painfully affected while the
war continues to rage" He says that the French
Government is none the less ready amid the
wishes formed in favor of peace, to take into ac-
count all the susceptbilities of national feeling;
and does not at all question the right of the Federal
Government to decline the cooperation OF the
great maritime powers Of Europe, but asks wheth-
err this cooperation is not the only means which
offers itself to the Cabinet at Washington to hast
en- the close Of the war; and further, If the Fedc-
raj Government ,clieves that it ought to repel any
foreign intervention could it not honorably accept
the idea of direct informal conference with the
authority which may represent the States OF
the South? He says that the opening of inform
al conferences between the belserent parties does
,1,t bo ,lInto Of
hosttips. He then proceeds: THAT nothing,
therefore, would hinder the Government of the
United States, without renouncing the advantage
which it believes it can attain by the continuation
Of the war, from entering lpon informal confer
ences with the Confcderates Of the South, in case
they should show themselves disposed thereto.
REPRESENTATIVES or commissioners OF the two par
ties could assemble at such point as it should be
deemed proper to designate, and which could for
this purpose be deemed neutral Reciprocal COM
plants would be examined into at this meeting
"A negotiation of this character, he thinks,
would not involve any of the objections raised
against the diplomatic Intervention OF Europe, and,
without giving birth to the same hopes the i'm
mediate conclusion Of an armstic, would exercise
happy Influence on the march of events.
Seward in a lengthy letter to Dayton, under
date of the 9Th Of February. acknowledges the
cept of the dispatch OF the French Minister. In
its conclusion, he says that thu Congress f the
States furnishes constitutional forum FOX debates
between the ali,nateI parties, and that the Sena-
tors aud Representative from the loyal people are
there already, fully empowered to confer; and says
that seats arc al 80 inviting the Senators and
Representatives of the discontcnted party, who
may be constitrionally sent there from the States
involved in the instruction. lie thinks that the
conferences which thus be held in Congress
have great advantage over any that could be or
ganised On the plan suggested by the French Min
ster, viz: that Congress, if it thought wise, could
call a national Convention to adopt its recomlNen-
dations and give them all the solemniy and bind
ing force Of organic law. Such conferences he
Says may be said to have already begun; that Ma
ryand, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
Missouri, States claimed by the insurgents, are al
ready represented in Congress, and are SUBMIT
ing, with perfect freedom and proper spirit, their
adv ice upon the course best calculated to bring
about, in the shortest time, firm, lasting, and
honorable peace. This dispatch he authorizes Mr.
Dayton to read to the French Minister, and to give
him copy if he shall desire it.