The Chattanooga Daily Rebel. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1862-1864, 1863-01-28
Intercepted correspondence Of the Confed
crate Government.

AhOoAcepteu correspondence O4 tne ConIed-
crate Government
The National Inielligepcer, at Washington
publishes mass of correspondence purDort.
ing to be the "ollicial correspondence Of the
Confederate aulhon les in Richmond with
their diplomatic and financial agents abroad.p
The letters are dated as far back as September
last, and pnrport TO be addressed by tie Hon
Judah 2. Benjamin, the Confederate Secretary
OF State, to the diplomatic agerts Commission.
ed to represent 'the Confederayy" in Europe
lat the Courts of London ami Paris These
communications give view of political and
military affairs, but perhaps the most interest
ing portion of the correspondence are tbe sup.
positions OF Mr.. Benjamin as to the intentions
Of France, which are summed up as follows
LIST. The Emperor of The FreRch has deter
mined to conquer and hold Mexico as colo
ny, and IS desirons of interposing weak pow
or hetween his new colony and the Confede-
rate States, n ordere that lie may feel secure
against any interference with his designs on
Mexico.
I'd. The French Government is desrous of
securing for itself an independent source Of
cotton supply to Offset that possessed by
Great Britain in India, and designs to effect
this purpose by taking under lis protection the
state ofTexas, which after being acknowledg-
ed as an independent republic, would, in its
opinion, be, in effect, as dependent on France,
and as subservient to French interests as ii a
French colony.
IN this correspondence it is also made to
appear that discovery has been made of
political 'intrigue," believed to have been set
on foot by consular agent of the French
Government, resident at Galveston for the
purpose Of detaching the State of Texas from
the Southern Confederation. Grave reasons
of State ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, confirmed by histori-
cal traditions Of French policy, and by present
military operations in Mexico, are assigned by
Mr.. Benjamin as the probable motives which
may have induced tho French Emperor to
countenance this plot against the integrity of
the Confederate Government, If indeed it shall
be found, as he fears, that the consular agent
at Galveston has not acted without receiving
his inspirations from the Government he rep
Iresents. Mr.. Slidell, while cautioned to pro-
ceed circumspectly, is accordingly instructed
to give this matter thorough investigation
In another letter to "Mr. De Leon, care of
Mr.. Sldell," Mr.. Benjamin expresses desire
to have him extend the field OF his operations,
and TO embrace, if possible the press of Cen
trail Europe in his campaign. Austria and
Prussia, as well as the smaller Germanic Pow
ers, seem to require, argues Mr. Benjamin, in
telligence of the true condition of our affairs
and of the nature Of our struggle, and it is to
be hoped he may find means to act with eff
cheney in moulding public opinion in these
countries
In letter to Mr.. Mason Mr.. Benjamin ex-
presses his approval of his course in not with
drawing from London without the previous
instructions of the President "Your cores
pondence," says Mr.. Benjamin, with Earl
Russell shows with what scant courtesy you
have been treated, and exhibits marked con
trast between the conduct Of the English and
French statesmen, nowin office, in this inter-
course with foreign agents eminentIy discred-
liable to the former" 1t is lamentabIe that at
this late period in the nineteenth century
nation so enlightened as Great Britain should
have failed yet to discover that the principal
cause Of the dislike and hatred towards Eng
land OF which complaints are rife in her Par
lament and IN her press, is the offensive AFRO
gance OF some of her public men. The cen
trast is striking between the polished courtesy
OF Mr.. Thouvencl and the rude incivilty Of
Earl Russell Your determination, adds Mr..
Benjamin, ito submit TO these annoyances in
the service OF your country and to overlook
personal sights, while hope remains that your
continued presence in England may benefit
our cause, cannot fail to meet the warm appro-
val OF your government"
In the correspondence appears also letter
from Mr.. Memminger to Mr.. Mason, on the
subject of loan based on cotton. Mr.. Mem
minger says that the subject has been fully
considered and lle transmits tho form of GER
tifieate adopted by the government The fell
lowing are its leading provisions:
/. The price OF cotton is fixed at five pence
sterling, This form Of stating tho price has
been adopted in preference to cents, because
IL expresses the rate to be paid for the cotton
here, in currency which is understood 70
carry right TO its value in London.
2. The cotton is made deliverable at certain
ports, instead of any port at the option of the
holder. This change is required by The fact |
that most of our cotton is at tho Vest and il
a large portion should be required at an At
lantic port, it would be impossible to perform
the contract ft is, ,thereforeproposed to issue
separate certificates for the Gull and Atlantic
ports insuch amounts as can be delivered at
each rs
3. The certificates are demanded eny after
peace, and within six months thereafter. il |
would be impossible to transfer tho cotton to
any great amount until that period. To pro-
yfdc, however. for such cases as might desire
to run the blockade, it is proposed that Tor
some premium, to be adjusted by himself, our
Minister 70 England should place in the con-
tract an additional clause as follows, which ne
is authorized to add;
The government further agrees TO deliver
the cotton called for in this CO.. tilicale at any
time during the pending war. at any port
within its possession, Git practicable to trans
port the cotton TO the, port selected upon the
payment by the holder of tho cost ol trans
~
d. In case, by accident or otherwise, the
hnl1lnr oLnlalh 1.A..iE Au 1.a n L. I.....l