Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-10-16

copy oe the notice addressed to one of them Act
ing Consul Fusrton.
But a few months have elapsed since the ut
most Indignation was expressed by the British
Government against the United States Minister
at London, for issuing safe conduct to be used
on the high seas by merchant vessel; and the
ground of this denunciaton WAS his exercise OF
direct authority over subject matter within the
exclusive territorial jurisdiction Of the Queen
1t is difficult therefore, to conceive on what
basis Her Ma)estys Government have deemed
themselves justified in the much graver encroach
ment on the sovereignty of these States. which
has been attempted under instructions alleged to
have emanated from them
1t Ia not my purpose here to discuss the nh
ture aud extent of the claims of the Confa le-
racy ON the allegiance of persons of foreign
origin residing permanently within its limits,
(casy as would be the task of demonstrating
the obligation of such residents, under the
law Of nations, to aid in the defence of their
nwn homes and property against invasion, !
because, ~ already Observed the liberal con
structiou of the law in their favor which has
been sanctioned by the President, and the in
diligence OF the Government in permitting
than, for many months, to exercise the option
OF avoiding service by departing from the
country, deprive the discussion of any pr:nti
cal interest. | have been induced to place
the whole subject fully in your possession, by
reason of . statement made by Consul Fullar-
ton to the Governor of Georgia, that in the
event of the failure of his rcmonstrunces to
produce the exemption OF all British subject,
from service, he is instructed to state that
1.-The Governments in Europe interested in this
question will unite in making such rcpresen.
tations as will secure 10 aliens this desired
exemption"
The menace here implied would require nc
answer if it were not made rrofessedv under
instructions. 1t il scarcely necessary to say
t. you that the action of the President in re-
pciling with decision any attempt bv foreign
officials to arrogate sovereign rights within ou,
| limits, or to interfere of their own authority
with the execution Of our laws, would not be
affected in the slightest degree by representa-
tons from any source, however exhalted
This is the only poiut on which the President
has had occasion to act and on this point there
is no room for discussion.
The exercise Of tho Droi3e renroi is toe
harsh, however. to be resrrted to without Jus
tifable cause, 5and it is proper that you
should have it in your power TO explain the
! grounds on which the President has been
compelled to enforce it. Lest also the Gov
crnment of His Imperial Majesty should be
msled into the error of surprising that til,
rights of French citizens are in any manner
involved in the action of the President which
has been rendered necessary by the repre-
h"nsible conduct Of the British Consular
agents. you are requested to take an early
occasion for given such explanation to NJ
Drouyn de HlIuys as will obviate all risk
Of misapprehension
lam, sir, respectfully,
Your obidicnt servent,
j. p. BENJAMIN,
Secretary OF State.
Hon. John Sidell, Commissioner, &c.
&C., Paris, France.