Secession Movements in England (1862)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, April 26, 1862

The rebel emissaries in England, Messrs. Yancey, Rost and Man, have addressed a letter to Earl Russel, representing the secession of seven of the Southern States, and asking a recognition of the Confederacy. The Commissioners claim that the Federal Government "has not been able to retake a single fortification of which the Confederate States possessed themselves; but, on the contrary has been driven out from a mighty fortress upon the Atlantic, and from several forts on the Western frontier, by the Confederate arms; that it has not been able to advance more than five miles into the territory of any of the Confederate States where there was any serious attempt to prevent it; and is in danger of losing three great States of the Union by insurrection."

The effectuality of the blockade is denied, and the argument put forth that England can have no sympathy with the North, as the Administration, Congress and the Federal Generals have repeatedly, by proclamation, legislation, and military orders, demonstrated that the war is not a raid upon slavery, but "is waged on order to uphold that (pro-slavery) Constitution, and to enforce the laws (many of them pro-slavery)." Hence they conclude that the anti-slavery sentiment of England can have no sympathy with the North, but will be disgusted at its "canting hypocrisy." 

The Bull Run reverse the Union army s magnified to the greatest proportions, and the superior advantages which might be derived by England from an interference with the blockade in securing cotton now being gathered, assiduously urged.

If, however, the English Government fails to extend assistance to the South, "its citizens will buckle themselves to the great task before them with a vigor and determination that will justify the undersigned in having pressed the question upon the attention of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.

To this communication Earl Russell replies that "the British Government dot not pretend in any way to pronounce a judgment upon the questions in debate between the United States and their adversaries in North America;" and states that the Queen will strictly perform the duties which belong to a neutral, and "cannot undertake to determine by anticipation what may be the issue of the contest, nor can she acknowledge the independence of the nine States which are now combined against the President and Congress of the United States, until fortune of arms or the more peaceful mode of negotiation shall have more clearly determined the respective positions of the two belligerents."