332
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1863
wrest from England even the prospect of success which this war has given her. Whatever strikes at her ancient foe, is the French- man's glory. The rock of Helena still stands and rears its sullen crest above the waves. The Frenchman's heart still nestles the wrongs of his great Napoleon. When so great a stake as the important interests of this new nation is upon the board, France and England cannot, and will not, have common interests. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the foreign policy of our government to tell how far these views may operate in securing at the hand of Europe that just consideration which our valor and importance demands. Hitherto it has seemed to me that while we have kept our Ministers at the European Courts, the character of our legislation has been such as to give foreigners but little inducement for intercourse with us. With our entire coast blockaded, perhaps more vigorously than known in any other war, we have maintained a tariff system, as well as an export duty on cotton. The policy of F1·ee Trade with all neutral powers, seems to me, would be our proper course during the war. It would present inducement to foreigners to run the risk of the blockade, because they would not be subject to the annoyances of hunting up a Custom House officer, but could discharge their cargo anywhere on our coast, receive cotton in return, and make the home voyage without delay. Besides thousands of the Yankees, prompted by the love of money, would live abroad, make foreign connections, and bribing the officers of the block- ading squadrons, would, with foreign vessels under foreign mas- ters, furnish us with all we need. The policy of Free Trade, during the future of the war, or a treaty of commercial reciprocity with some friendly commercial nation, whereby mutual advan- tages would accrue, seems therefore to me wise and proper. Thus, through the success of our brave armies, awakening interest abroad in our cause and stimulating the selfishness of nations, I look forward to the time when we shall stand equal among the family of nations. I have. hopes from other causes than these. The great Northwest is tired of the war. They behold their Government pandering to the tastes and passions of New England alone; and the war, which they entered for the sake of the Ulnion, converted into a fanatical crusade against slavery. Deprived of their accustomed outlet, the Mississippi, their great trade is cut off, or must pay tribute to the East ere it finds a market. From intimate acquaintance with the South, they know more of our institutions and understand the true status of the
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