New-York daily tribune., 1863-11-25
TIE FRENCH BLOCKADE.

THE FISENCkh HLOCbAhbS
The Rebellion against which the loyal forces
of the United States are now marshaled, ana
tho suppression of which demands the whole
and undivided attention of the Government, is
not wrong against the people of the United
Statos alone, but against mankind. So inter.
woven are the interests of nations in this nine
teenth century of civilization and progress, so
directly does any dctrimcnt to the welfare and
prosperity of any ono Of the great nations react
upon all tho other members of the great family,
that it is of the last Importance that we should
Judge calmly and justly the acts of foreign Pow
crs in reference tn ourselves, as we expect that
in the future in wars and struggles to which we
shall bc no party, we shall ourselves be judged.
These reflections are suggested to us by the
sharp criticisms which We find in our most intel
ligent and usually well-insormed journals, upon
the French blockade of the ports of Mexico. 1t
will be remembered that in the declaration 0i
blockade of Mexican ports by the French Gov
crnmcnt all points within ten leagues OF the
Rio Grande were especially excepted. This ex-
ccption has been interpreted as favoring on the
part Of the French Government revolutions
in its interest in the Province of Tamaulipas,
which skirts the Gulf between the Rio Grande
and tho port of Tampico on its southern border
and of desire to promote the interests OF the
Rebellion by facilitating the contraband trade
which has 10 long been carried on without inter
ference and to the manifest aid and comfort OF the
Rebels, between Matamoras and Great Britain.
We do not view it in, this light, but on tho con-
trary, as showing tho disposition Of the Emperor
not only to avoid any interference in the affairs
Of the United States, but to carefully regard the
international law Of blockade. Ii may not be
generally known that from the port of Tampico
which lies on the southeastern extremity OF
the Province Of Tamaulipas, northward to the
mouth Of the Rio Grande, there is no single
port 10 blockade. There is q nominal barbor al
tho mouth Of tho San Fernando River. but we
have never heard that it was used as port, or
that its bar would admit Of the passage OF
vessels of even the lightest draught. 1t is
claimed that, with desire to do justice to the
interests Of the United States, the Emperor
should have ordered the blockade OF the
port Of Ma,amoras; but the critics and
fault-fndcrs seem TO have forgotten that
Matamoras and Brownsville, the one on the
Mexican and the other on the Texan side ol
the riycr. are 20 miles distant from the mouth
II the Rio Grandc, on which they are situated.
We Judge that 80 informed they would have
held quite a different opinion had tho news
come that French vessels were blockading the
mouth of q river onc-half Of which If
not Mexican but United States waters.
so FAR from considering the act of the Emperor
IN the declaration complained Of a. offensive, We
regard II as ac,un,cd by sincere desire to avoid
any ground of complaint TO the United States.
And II seems to Us strange that he should be
charged with a collusion with the English and
Rebels. whom il has never been shown that any
Frcnchman has had any par, in this unfriendly
and Illicit trade.
We think our friends and ootemporaries
are inclined 10 make quite too much oi the
sirurglc In Maiamoras. We have as yet seen
no evidence that there has been any French
agency in this matter; il does not appear that
the French flag Was raised in Maianoras during
the fray, or tia, French marines participated,
though taid to bc only few miles distant on
the coast. Until We have further information
directly bearing on this point, we shall be in
clincl 10 consider il as nothing more than one Of
tho periodical struggles for temporary power
and opportunity for plunder, in which Cortina
has been 50 often and 80 discrcditably distin-
guished.
We were informed months since by Gen.
Hamilton, who watches so carefully over Texan
interests, that the Miramon party contemplated
some such plot, but We do not yet see that the
recent petty revolution makes any part of his
expected scheme.