On the contrary, we
wished to leave it alone. Our separation did not involve its
destruction. To such fiction was Mr. Lincoln compelled to resort to give
even apparent justice to his cause. He now goes to the Constitution for
the exercise of his war power, and here we have another fiction.
On April 19th, four days later, President Lincoln issued another
proclamation, announcing a blockade of the ports of seven confederated
States, which was afterward extended to North Carolina and Virginia. It
further declared that all persons who should under their authority
molest any vessel of the United States, or the persons or cargo on
board, should be treated as pirates. In their efforts to subjugate us,
the destruction of our commerce was regarded by the authorities at
Washington as a most efficient measure. It was early seen that, although
acts of Congress established ports of entry where commerce existed, they
might be repealed, and the ports nominally closed or declared to be
closed; yet such a declaration would be of no avail unless sustained by
a naval force, as these ports were located in territory not subject to
the United States. An act was subsequently passed authorizing the
President of the United States, in his discretion, to close our ports,
but it was never executed.
The scheme of blockade was resorted to, and a falsehood was asserted on
which to base it. Mr. Seward writes to Mr.
Pages:
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513