The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-13
OUR RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND

n0So ouVWIttcO 10 the president
the reflections upon the temper and dis.
position of the British nation as thew
are affected by our civil war, with which
you have favored me. The correctness
of your views is established by the fact
that the insurgents manifestly have
bold, vigorous and effective party in both
Houses Of Parliament, and IN the British
press, which party is contesscdly influen-
tial in the general administration Of pub
lie affairs, while the United States seem
to have in the British Legislature and in
the British press no advocates or de-
tenders, except persons who, however
great their ability and wealth, are never
theless practically excluded from the
conduct of national affairs. There is,
moreover, marked habit prevailing in
Great Britain Of comparing British re-
sources and achievements with Ameri-
can resources and achievements, and this
is done so unnecessarily, and often in
spirit so illiberal, as to indicate sense
Of rivalry.
"Our civil war has endured for three
years. 1t has necessarily brought up
many irritating and pcrplexing questions
between the two countries. [ think it
would be safe to say that no bcligercnt
State ever bore itself moro forbearingly
towards neutral Power, whose subjects
committed so many injuries and provo~
cations, than we have done towards Great
Britain. think it equally clear that no
neutral Power was ever more unyiclding
and more exacting towards a belligerent
than Great Britain has been towards the
United States. Your inference from this
condition of things is that this Govern
ment must apply itself with the greatest
possible energy to bring the civil war to
speedy and triumphant conclusion, or
else it may have reason to expect conflict
with Great Britain and with her allies
While, however, VIC accept this wise
counsel, it would be unjust on my part
towards the Treasury, War and Navy
Departments, if were to withhold the
expression of thorough and deliberate
conviction that the war is conducted with
all the energy and skill which any ad
ministration of the Government OF the
United States, in their circumstances,
could command.
1.-THE conflict is indeed great one,
and the ideas and interests which sus-
tain the parties engaged in it render it
fierce and obstinate. We must, there
| fore, accep. the case as it is-a case Of
severe domestic trial, with continual dan
| ger of foreign intervention. We have
before us but one line of duty-that is,
the way of perseverance. 1t is the course
we have pursued hitherto. 1t will save
| us now, unless VIC are to be lost. That
| this nation can be lost is conclusion
that neither our virtue nor our patriot
ism, nor even our reason, can accept.
II will not say how great our conf
dence in the opening campaign is
Events are so near that we can no more
wisely wait for them. than anticipate
them. Nor can we prudently forget that,
of all human transactions, those Of war
are, in their sequences the most uncer-
tain and capricious, although the ultl-
mate results are subject of political
calculation. We have the conviction
that the national cause is in far stronger
condition now than it has been at any
previous stage of the civil war, while
| the disunion forces seem weaker than at
any time heretofore. The maritime
| Powers, whose interference is to be APP
pretended if we should be unfortunate,
seem to mo to be somewhat less at Ii
berty to engage against us no" than
they have hitherto been.
| II think it certain that We have more
friends and fewer enemies abroad now
than we have had at former periods OF
the war. Thus time seems to be favor
ing us, and time is always the best friend
of Justice and truth. Nor is it necessary
to suppress the convictions that, pacific
as the temper Of the American people Is,
vet that the efforts and sacrifices which
they have hitherto made arc incOnsldera-
bic compared with what they would
make if now assailcd by q foreign enemy"
Practically there is no longer hearing
in the country for man who counseh
fear of the enemy at home much less
I would there be u hearing for one who
should counsel submission to aggression
from abroad. These arc the grounds
upon which the President builds his hope
that we shall pass safely through the
trials which are before u.s.
| SEWARD ON THE MEXICAN EMPIRE.
Mr.. Seward to Mr.. Adams:
COMPARTMENT OF STATE,
i "WAsnlNGroN, May 3, 1851,
mo. 937.l
"Sir: thank you very sincerely lo'
, your dispatch of the l5tlf Of April, NO
RI eco. which contains information partcu'
, lsrly new and interesting in regard y
the proceedings which have culm,na'eu
in the departure Of the Archduke Man Ak.
milan from Trieste, with the intenuo'