Proximity of dates, however,
permits another interpretation of Hotze's editorial of November 10, and
indeed of the project of arming the slaves, though this, early in the
spring of 1865, was actually provided for by law. On November 11,
Slidell, Mason and Mann addressed to the Powers of Europe a
communication accompanying a Confederate "Manifesto," of which the
blockade had long delayed transmissal. This "Manifesto" set forth the
objects of the Southern States and flatly demanded recognition:
"'All they ask is immunity from interference with their
internal peace and prosperity and to be left in the
undisturbed enjoyment of their inalienable rights of life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness which their common
ancestry declared to be the equal heritage of all parties to
the Social compact[1249].'"
Russell replied, November 25:
"Great Britain has since 1783, remained, with the exception
of a short period, connected by friendly relations with both
the Northern and the Southern States. Since the commencement
of the Civil War which broke out in 1861, Her Majesty's
Government have continued to entertain sentiments of
friendship equally for the North and for the South; of the
causes of the rupture Her Majesty's Government have never
presumed to judge; they deplored the commencement of this
sanguinary struggle, and anxiously look forward to the period
of its termination.
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