Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-23
LETTER FROM RaOmmloND.
Special Correspondence of the Memphis Appeal
prcu,rorD Ts,uarvff 1852

Special Correspondence Of the Memphis Appeal
RICHMOND, January Il, 1868.
There was at LIST g quorum to-day in both houses Of
Congress, and the reading of the Presidents message
was no longer delayed I am very gravelY mistaken il
/ this document is not pronounced on all hands Que Of the
ablsst state papers yet written in American. The style
is aimirsble, bat this need not be stated, a simple dig.
nifty asd a lucid order have marked all the previous ro
ports, speeches, proclamaHons and messages Of Jefferson
Davis The larger portion of the message refers to our
foreign relations, and the whole question OF privateeriog
and the blockade is discussed in the manner that stamps
the author as e pubHest of the highest emipence. Espe-
ealy foreIble and pointed is the passage in which Earl
Russell is corrected in his Interpretation Of the views Of
the congress Of Paris, and the words which be has
sought 10 interDolate, weakening and virtually nullify-
ing the dictiou with regard to the efficiency Of block
sdes, are quoted with an eloquent protest against
their validity. Equally strong is the demonstra-
lion Of the great wrong done the Confederate
Safes in the pseudo neutrality Of the powers Of
Europe. The President is very happy, also, in his man.
ner Of putting the complaints of the Yankee Govern.
ment that European nations have sold us articles con-
traband Of war, against the assumption By Seward that
the blockade was really sufficient to prevent access to
our coast for, if it were, Whist would it matter how
much material for carrying on the war was purchased
by US on the other side Of the atlantic It is perhaps
too much to hope that the clear, logical and unimpas-
stoned argument of the President viii cauRe the cabinets
Of Europe to change their selfish policy toward the Con-
federate States, but it is matter Of honest pride and
selGeongratulation that we have SO u~nsnywersble a de-
tense Of our couatry placed upon the record We are
virtually fighting our bate not against the United
States but against the whole world, and when our indo-
~pendence has been achieved it will be gratifying to
know that this had been Satisfactorily established while
the struggle was yet in progress.
It will be seen that the President recommends taxa
ton and the fu. Their absorption of outstanding treasury
notes in Confederate bonds as remedies for the evils Of
an inflated currency, and is hopeful of the good results
Of these measures.
The message was heard in both houses with marked
attention, and the points made in it received with a man.
fest hearty acknowledgement In the house Of repre-
se~nta.ives, there was a burst Of applause from the gal
at the conclusion, but this was promptly suppressed
by the hammer of the speaker pro tsmPorG
Thereupou ensued a rambling debate upon the pro-
priety of printing a large number of extra copies for
distribution among the people, every reading man of
whom viii have seen and read it in his newspaper
before the public printer could have the
copies ready for Transmission through the mals), |
which the house went into secret session to con
slider the report Of the Secretary Of the Navy, which the
President deemed to be of a nature that rendered its
publication incompatible with the Interests Of the coun.
try. It is supposed by outsiders that the information
given in this report is full and minute with regard to the
Of Lieutenant Marry to Europe and the buiding
there Of a large feet of iron-clads upon The model of the
Wdrrior for clearing out the blockade. Whatever may
be the nature Of this report, thus kept from the public
it is certain that the paragraph in the message which
refers to it viii cause marine insurance 70 mount up to
An unprecedented figure in Wall stree4 The under
Of New York and Boston viii see a score Of Ala
1amas in the enigma and fear its practical solution in the
otal destruction Of Yankee commerce on the high seas.
In the Virginia Legislature there has been to-day a
ong debate upon the merits of the respective candid
for the vacant senatorshlp, without coming to a
The object Of this discu ssion is to gain time to
How certain absentees, from the Southwestern portion
{ the State, to reach the capital They have been
by telegraph to come hitler with all haste,
s It is thought their votes may avail to secure the sue
ess Of Gen. Floyd. Speaking against time IS not the
interesting kind of debate, but it is, perhaps, as
ihicult as any other, and it has been from time imme-
lorial the especial gift of the Virginia legislators. To-
they will probably begin the b~aloting, but not
Mess the absentees shall haYe arrived.
It is understood that tomorrow, while The General
.sssmbly Of Virginia is endeavoiiug to fiji the vacancy
c~casionsd by the late Mr. Preston's death. that solemn
vent will be announced in both houses of Congress,
the customary tributes to the memory Of inc &C.
eased. DINE.