CIRCULAR.
In compliance with a request made by that body, you are instructed to
make the resolutions known to the government to which you are
accredited. You will perform that duty by reading the resolutions to the
minister for foreign affairs, or by delivering to him a copy thereof, if
that course shall be preferred by him.
You are authorized to say, at the same time, that the resolutions are
entirely in harmony with the principles and policy by which all the
President’s proceedings in regard to the question involved have been,
and will continue in every emergency to be, regulated.
James S. Pike,
Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Same to all the diplomatic agents of the United States.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS of Congress concerning foreign intervention
in the existing rebellion.
Whereas it appears from the diplomatic correspondence submitted to
Congress that a proposition, friendly in form, looking to
pacification through foreign mediation, has been made to the United
States by the Emperor of the French, and promptly declined by the
President; and whereas the idea of mediation or intervention in some
shape may be regarded by foreign governments as practicable, and
such governments, through this misunderstanding, may be led to
proceedings tending to embarrass the friendly relations which now
exist between them and the United States; and whereas, in order to
remove for the future all chance of misunderstanding on this
subject, and to secure for the United States the full enjoyment of
that freedom from foreign interference which is one of the highest
rights of independent states, it seems fit that Congress should
declare its convictions thereon: Therefore—
Resolved, (the House of Representatives
concurring,) That while in times past the United States have sought
and accepted the friendly mediation or arbitration of foreign powers
for the pacific adjustment of international
questions, where the United States were the party of the one part
and some other sovereign power the party of the other part; and
while they are not disposed to misconstrue the natural and humane
desire of foreign powers to aid in arresting domestic troubles which, widening in their influence, have
afflicted other countries, especially in view of the circumstance,
deeply regretted by the American people, that the blow aimed by the
rebellion at the national life has fallen heavily upon the laboring
population of Europe: yet, notwithstanding these things, Congress
cannot hesitate to regard every proposition of foreign interference
in the present contest as so far unreasonable and inadmissible that
its only explanation will be found in a misunderstanding of the true
state of the question and of the real character of the war in which
the republic is engaged.
Resolved, That the United States are now
grappling with an unprovoked [Page 890] and wicked rebellion, which is seeking the destruction of the
republic that it may build a new power, whose corner-stone,
according to the confession of its chiefs, shall be slavery; that
for the suppression of this rebellion, and thus to save the
republic, and to prevent the establishment of such a power, the
national government is now employing armies and fleets, in full
faith that through these efforts all the purposes of conspirators
and rebels will be crushed; that while engaged in this struggle, on
which so much depends, any proposition from a foreign power,
whatever form it may take, having for its object the arrest of these
efforts, is, just in proportion to its influence, an encouragement
to the rebellion and to its declared pretensions, and on this
account is calculated to prolong and embitter the conflict, to cause
increased expenditure of blood and treasure, and to postpone the
much-desired day of peace; that, with these convictions, and not
doubting that every such proposition, although made with good
intent, is injurious to the national interests, Congress will be
obliged to look upon any further attempt in the same direction as an
unfriendly act which it earnestly deprecates, to the end that
nothing may occur abroad to strengthen the rebellion or to weaken
those relations of good will with foreign powers which the United
States are happy to cultivate.
Resolved, That the rebellion, from its
beginning, and far back, even in the conspiracy which preceded its
outbreak, was encouraged by the hope of support from foreign powers;
that its chiefs frequently boasted that the people of Europe were so
far dependent upon regular supplies of the great southern staple
that, sooner or later, their governments would be constrained to
take side with the rebellion in some effective form, even to the
extent of forcible intervention, if the milder form did not prevail;
that the rebellion is now sustained by this hope, which every
proposition of foreign interference quickens anew, and that without
this life-giving support it must soon yield to the just and paternal
authority of the national government; that, considering these
things, which are aggravated by the motive of the resistance thus
encouraged, the United States regret that foreign powers have not
frankly told the chiefs of the rebellion that the work in which they
are engaged is hateful, and that a new government, such as they seek
to found, with slavery as its acknowledged corner-stone, and with no
other declared object of separate existence, is so far shocking to
civilization and the moral sense of mankind that it must not expect
welcome or recognition in the commonwealth of nations.
Resolved, That the United States, confident in
the justice of their cause, which is the cause, also, of good
government and of human rights everywhere among men; anxious for the
speedy restoration of peace, which shall secure tranquillity at home
and remove all occasion of complaint abroad, and awaiting with
well-assured trust the final suppression of the rebellion, through
which all these things, rescued from present danger, will be secured
forever, and the republic, one and indivisible, triumphant over its
enemies, will continue to stand an example to mankind, hereby announce, as their unalterable
purpose, that the war will be vigorously prosecuted, according to
the humane principles of Christian states, until the rebellion shall
be overcome; and they reverently invoke upon their cause the
blessings of Almighty God.
