Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-21
RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE

Its known to our readers that there has been
much discussion with regard to the expediency OF
the restrictions which, under the regulations Of
re Secretary of the Treasury, placed on trade
with persons residing in regions lying within dis
tricts lately in rebellion, but reclaimed from the
control of the nsurgent forces by the progress OF
our arms We have not found time to examine
this subject in all its relations but suppose that it
is mainly in virtue of military considerations that
this embargo is instituted and maintained. Trade
is interdicted with these quarters lest it may, d-
rectly or indirectly, by mistake or by fraud, be
made to contribute to the material resources OF the
enemy 1t is obvious however, that there are other
considerations than those of purely military char
acter which should enter into the elements of the
question raised under this head. This will be
readily perceived from the following representa-
tons made in the Confederate Congress" by Mr.
Clapp, delegate from the State of Mississippi, in
discussion had on the bill Of Mr. Foote, of Ten
nessee, proposing to forbid the circulation of United
States Treasury notes within the Confederate
States Referring to the trade surrepttiously car
ried on by the people of Mississippi with loyal
merchants of Memphis, he said
"In all that section such had been the effect of this
traffic that nothing could be bought for Confederate
money except only when troops there to enforce
respect the Confederate laws Citizens had not only
refused sell their cotton for Confederate money but
concealed it, and when opportunity served transported it
to Memphis and disposed of it for greenbacks 1t had
been shewn that not less than from thousand to two
thousand bales per week had been delivered at Memphis
and in return the country overhowed with TRIES,
creating artificial wants and producing utter disregard
OF the laws and of the interests of the Conederacy He
would make this law as to bring the men who were
creating this state OF aars bringing distress and ruin
upon the families and homes of soldiers to that sc
countabity which they deserve There was now no law
TO reach the case end courts shond at be fur
nshed with the authority to deal with it
Commenting on these representations, Repub-
lican contemporary, the Hartford Conn Courant,
says:
"The rebel Government stands in mortal dread of the
diffusion Of currency among the people of the South
MemmnRers rags have ceased almost entirely to exercise
conservative influence upon the fortunes of the Conede
racy on account Of their acknowledged worthlessness
Every dollar in geenbacks that finds it's way the
lines is boarded like gold. 1t is wise maxim in to
do the thing which the enemy most breads II the Rich
ond Congress legates TO throw obstacles in the way Of
the introduction of United States money the Federal Con
gress should meet such action by counerlegislaton
Much be accomplished by removing all restraint from
the traffic 10 cotton Let planters without reference to
political anecedeDts procivties, bring their crops to
depots 10 possession and exchange them for United
states money Every Dill so scattered VIII prove an argu
ment to the holder in favor Of the Union Rebel scrip will
continue 10 sink to lower depths till persons will
think Of saving it except for lamp lighters.
If the Davis Government endeavors TO destroy the cot
ton to prevent the trade IT will incur the bitter hostility
Of the planting interest % the banks of the Mississippi
few planters sufficiently patriotic to commit their
crops to the flames TO them from the hands Of the
Yankees While little destroyed voluntarily, or
by rowing bands of gueras much the larger portion was
either concealed removed to the interior Thoughtful
at the South convinced that greenbacks good
and destined TO remain good Having suffered thousand
unaccustomed hardshps 10 consequence OF the aud
looking forward to still Roomer times in the future, they
will greatly prefer Federal money to the ashes of their
produce Regulations unquestionably be made which
will bring large Of cotton to market, and inct
st deeper wounds upon tn, Confedsrscy by Djurng its
| currency"