The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-07-29

Inc cASAa S02ArepJ1Ncuco otWe3 /
the French and English Governments
on the withdrawal Of belIigerent rights
from the extinct confsderacH estab-
hshes some important principles Of in
ternational law. Earl Russell, in a let
ter to Lord COwley. the British Minister
in Paris, dated May 30, states that by
the capture Of the "late President Of
the 81 called Confederate States, and
the Surrender and dispersion of the
armies hitherto in the field, neutral
nations have no alternative but to con
slider the civil war at an end, and act
accordingly. He therefore proposes
that Lord CoWley shall suggest to the
two Governments the recognition Of
the fact that the United States author
ity has been restored in the whole ter
ritory occupied before the commence
ment Of the civil war. As 3 necessary
consequence 10 this action Earl Russell
expresses the opinion that vessels car
rying the Confederate flag shall be de-
MED admission to French and English
ports and those already in port shsR
be required to withdraw, coupled with
the condition for the preservation of
good faith, Of the prohibition OF pur-
suing United States vessels then in the
waters. rrers
Earl CoWley in reply stated that he
had waited on N. Drouyn dLhuys, the
French Foreign Minister, who agreed
to the proposition, with an additional
s1ss~stinn that Confederate vessels in
portshould be disarned and sold for
private accOunk Earl Cowley, howev-
er, raised the very proper objection that
this concession might raise difficulties
with the United States Government
which might state, with reason, that
the War having terminated by the de-
fest and surrender of the Confederates,
all property belonging to the latter
would properly revert TO the United
States.
Earl Russell appears to have been
taken somewhat abeck by the view sug-
gested by his more ~farseeing Embassa-
dor, but he submitted the question to
the lawyers, and they decided in favor
Of Lord Cowley's principle. The re-
salt Is that al Confederate property
a6oat reverts IS completely to the
United States Government Is stores
found in Richmond or Galveston.
Earl Russell also informed Sir Fred
erick Bruce, the English Minister al
Washington, that the proceedings in
the case of the prize Ea or Retribufoa,
in the New York Prize Court are in
dorsed by the English lawyer thus es-
tablishing the principle, for Ehich our
Government has strenuousiy contend
ed, that enemy's commissioned ships
cannot. in time Of war, be relieved
from the risk OF capture and condem-
nation, by sale or transfer, to neutrals
h even for purposes Of lawful commerce
In other words, the Florida, Alabama,
or any other vessels commissioned by
the Richmond junta, cannot after COM
hitting wholesale depredationa On our
commerce, escape capture wherever
found, and all such piraticsl1 cruisers
must be surrendered 10 our Govern
ment
This correspondence (says the n. Y.
Commercial Advertiser exhibits the
English Government in a far more ami
able and yielding mood than at any
period during the last four or Eve years
thus justifying one Of Secretary Sew
ards hopeful predictions some time
since to the effect that the administra-
ton Of the Foreign Department would
be . comparatively easy affair if the
civil war were only suppressed.
All the vexed questions arising from
our civil war have not yet been settled
BY any means, but it is highly cfedita
bic to Secretary Seward that nearly all
the points al issue with foreign Govern.
menss have been decided in favor Of
our Government This fact affords the
best possible proof Of the moderation
and capacity Of the administration Of
foreign affairs in a period Of nnexam-
Piled excitementand passion 1t is also
still more satisfactory IS tending TO ad.
vance the dignity and consideration Of
our Government abroad, apd may be
regarded as e guarantee thatthose CUES
tons which still remain unsettled--as,
for example, the demand for losses from
British built and British manned YES,
sells sailing under Confederate colors-
shall ultimately be decided in our favor