the great Republic, does not appear to exist in North America; for there are no symptoms of common sense having prevailed with those who direct Northern policy; nor is there any probability that native conventions will arrive at a practical conclusion, or effectually reconcile mutually opposing interests.

Nor will any desirable result be accomplished by European Powers tendering good counsels to the belligerents; for such require listeners ready to follow the advice given-or by mediation; as such services, to be effectual, must be called for by both combatants-or by arbitration; for its decisions, to be of value, must be respected by both parties-or by intervention; as it would be followed by war; and war by confusion worse confounded-or by waiting for intelligence of an armistice between the combatants; for a civil war is a description of strife which enables the passions to overcome the remonstrances of wisdom. Nor can any good come of citing manifold instances in which rebellious provinces have been recognized as independent, in the old world as well as the new; for the Southern Confederacy is composed of many sovereign States, each a Commonwealth with defined territorial limits, and all possessing distinct municipal and legislative institutions.

The period has surely arrived, when the great Maritime Empires of Europe should, in the interests of humanity, exercise their high function, by arresting

the useless expenditure of blood and treasure amongst thirty millions of human beings on the other side of the Atlantic, and in preventing the ruin of millions on this side of the ocean, whose commercial and manufacturing industry are paralysed by this terrific internecine war.

That the initiative will not be taken by Russia, they can testify who know the secret antipathy cherished by its Government and upper classes towards liberal institutions; and the satisfaction they experience at the lamentable exhibition which the North American Republicans are now affording to the subjects of all despotic Governments.

Nor is it probable that France will feel inclined to act alone, before the Mexican war has been conducted to an honourable and satisfactory conclusion.

Nevertheless the remedy exists, in the Recognition, by Great Britain and France, of a Southern Confederacy, composed of the Sovereign States situated between the Atlantic ocean and the Mississippi river; accompanied by a declaration that they considered that its Northern frontier line should be somewhat similar to that traced on the prefixed map. Such a proceeding would be hailed with satisfaction by a majority of the American people, both North and South.

The United States would abandon the vain endeavour to maintain or reconstruct the Unionthe Western States would feel assured that in possessing the right bank of the Mississippi, they

would be secured in the enjoyment of its free and unrestricted navigation, together with that of its tributary streams, from their source to the Gulf of Mexico, to them a question of vital interest-their Border States, viz. Kentucky, (at the cost of a trifling territorial exchange), Western Virginia (which for military reasons cannot be dissevered from the North) and Maryland, would thus acquire fluvial and mountainous Southern boundaries, and their Atlantic, New England, and Central States would be spared the misery of seeing the Union split into other projected confederations, which must happen, unless the war is speedily terminated.

The Southern Confederacy would be obliged to acquiesce in the accomplishment of what it would be powerless to oppose, and to desist from the futile project of including within its limits the immense unpopulated region, admirably suited for slave labour, beyond the Mississippi, but it would possess an area in superficial extent larger than France, Spain, and Portugal together.

The four millions of Negroes, whose present and future fate is very mournful, would, before many years have elapsed, be restored to what we consider their birthright. The United States, to rid themselves of the germs of future discord, would emancipate their Negroes; and the Confederate States, knowing that slavery once abolished on the soil of the North could flourish but for a short period on that of the South (surrounded by the ocean and a

nation of freemen), would find it their interest, to prepare their coloured brethren for fulfilling the duties incumbent upon them in a state of freedom.

Such are some of the blessings which Great Britain and France enjoy the privilege of conferring upon the American Anglo-Saxon and African races; but should they reject the opportunity which present circumstances afford, the consequences will be exhibited in the establishment of one, if not two slave Republics, firmly rooted on the territory of the late United States, stretching from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, and from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the 37th degree of latitude.

THE END.