Year: 1864

\


The opportunity for obtaining the tacit assent OF


European governments to line of conduct which
ignores the obligations of the declarations Of
I Pars, and treat that instrument rather as the
oretlcal exposition Of principles than a binding


agreement, may be considered by the British


ministry asjustifying them in seekinga great ad


vantage for their own country at the expense OF


ours. Butwe cannot permit without protestthe


assertion that International law or morals regard


as impartial Neutrality" conduct avowed to be


exceedingly advantageous" to one of the belli-


gerents,


have stated that we are without adequate rem


edy against the injustice under which we suffer.


There are but two measures that seem applicable


10 the present condition of our relations with


neutral powers. Oneis to initiate the wrong of


which we complain, to retaliate by the decIara-


ton OF paper blockade Of the coast of the Uni


ted States, and TO capture all neutral vessels trad


ing with their ports that our cruzers can inter


cept on the high seas. This measure [ cannot


recommend. Il is true that In so doing. we


should but follow the precedents set by Great


britain and France in the Berlin and Milan de-


cFees, and the British orders in council at the


beginning or the present century BGtit must


be remembered that we, ourselves, protested


against those very measures as signal violations


OF the law OF nations, and declared the attempts


to excuse them, on the ground Of their being re-


taIlatory, utterly insufficient. Those blockades


are now quoted by writers on public law as


standing reproach on the good name Of the ma
tons VINO were betrayed by temporary exaspera-
flon into wrong doing, and ought to be regarded
rather as errors to be avoided than as examples
to be followed.


The other measure is not open to this objection.
The second article Of the declaration of Paris,
which provides 'that the neutral flag covers enc
my 5 goods, with the exception ofcontr&band Of
war, was new concession By ballgerents in
tavor Of neutrals, and not simply the enunciation
of an acknowledged pre-exstng rule, like the
fourth article which referred to blockades To
this concession We bound ourselves by the con-
yention with Great Britain and France, which
took the shape ofthe resolutions adopted by YOUR
predecessors on the 18th Of August, 1861 The
consideration rendered US for that concession has
been withheld. We have, therefore, the undo
nlable right to refuse longer to be bound by
compact which the other refuses to fulfill. But
we should not forget that war is but temporary.
and that we desire that peace shall be permanent
The future policy OF the Confederacy must ever
be TO uphold neutral rights to their fnll extent
The principles OF the declaration ofParis com
mend themselves to our judgment as more lust,
more humane, and more cOnsonant with mod
ern civilization than those belligerent preten-
SONS which great naval powers have heretofore
sought to introduce into the maritime code. To
forego our undeniable rights to the exercise Of
those pretensions, is a policy higher, worthier
OF us and ourcause, than toreToke our adhesion
to prlncIp les that we approve. Let our hope for
redress rest rather IN returning sense Of JUS
tjce which cannot fail to awaken great people
to the consciousness, that the war in which we
are engaged ought rather to be made reason
of fnrbeaGaRee OF advantage than an aeaoainr
for the unfriendly conduct Of which we make


Just complaint.


The events Of the last year have produced i'm
Dortant changes in the condition of our southern
neighbor. The occupation Of the capital ofMex-
leo by the French army and the establishment
Of provisional government followed by a radi-
cal change IN the constitution of the country,
have excited lively interest Although prefer
ring our own government and institutions to
those of other countries, we can have no dispo-
sIton to contest the exercise by them Of the
same right Of self government which we assert
for ourselves. II the Mexican people prefer 8
to a republic, it is cur plain duty
to acquiesce in their decision, ard to
eyinca sincere and friendly interest in their
prosperity. If, however, the MeXicans prefer
their former institutions, we have
80 reason to apprehend any obstacle to the free
exercise Of their choice. The emperor Of the
French has soiemnly disclaimed any purpose to
impose on Mexico d form of government not ac-
,eptable to the nation; and the eminent person
lge to whom the throne has been rendered, de-
3hnes its acceptance unless the offer be sane
Toned by the suffrages OF the people In either
event, therefore, we may confidently expect the
continuance Of those peaceful relations which.
nave been maintained on the frontier and even
! large development of the commerce, already
,xisting to the mutual advantage Of the two
countries.


It has been found necessary since your ad-
ournment to take acton on the subject Of GER
ain foreign consuls within the Confederacy--
The nature Of this action and the reasons on
which it was based are so fully exhibited in the
CORRESPONDENCE Of the State department. which
S transmitted to Y n, that no additional COM
ncnt is required.


In connection with, this subject CT our rela-
ions with foreign countries, it IS deemed oppor-
une to communicate my views in reference to
he treaties made by the government Of the Uni
ed States at date anterior to our separation,
nd which were consequently binding on US as
yell as On foreign powers when the separation
ook effect It was partly with a view to enter
no into such arrangements as the change ia our
government had made necessary, that we felt it


lr duty to send commissioners abroad for the
purpose of entering into the negotiations proper
o fix the relative rights and obligations of the
artias to those treaties. AS this tender on our
art has been declined, as foreign nations have
efused us the benefit of the treaties to which we
7ere parties, they certainly have ceased to be
finding on us, and, in my opinion, our relations
7ith European nations are therefore, now con-
rolled exclusively by the general ones of the
3W OF nations. II Is proper 10 dGu tHdP tHeSe
emarks are intended to apply solely TO treaty
bIigations towards foreign governments, and
ave 10 reference to rights of individuals.


The stats of public finances is such as to de-
land vour earliest and most prompt attention.


need hardly say that q prompt eficaciDus rem
3y for the present condition of the currency is
ecessary to the successful performances of the
motions Of government. Fortunately the re-
3urces Of our country are SO ample, and the
Dirit Of the people SO devoted to its cause, that
lev are ready to make the neces essary contribu-
on. Relief is thus entirely within our reach If
e hare the wisdom to legislate in such manner
5 to render available the means tour disposal.


AT the commencement of the war We were far
on anticipating the magnitude and duration Of
le struggle IN which we are engaged. The most


gacious foresight could not have predicted that