At term
A gentleman of New Orleans has furnished the Richmond Esquirer with the following extract from a letter addressed to him by a New York firm. The writers are rabid Black Republicans, but show that they have, as the same time, a sharp eye for business. It will be seen that they regard it as a fixed fact, that ‘"the Southern States will soon be a recognised Government independent of the North."’ On this idea, that precious cauls who have been contributing to the wicked invasion of our country are laying their plans to make money out of us and asking a Southern citizen to become a partner in a Yankee scheme. They will have the consolation of knowing that they pressed their many they pursue their inquiries they will find that our Government has already taken the necessary legislation to forestal any such handsome business operation as they propose:
New York, April 21st, 1861.
Dear Sir:
--Knowing your long connection with the Patent Office and familiarity with its details, we are induced to address and make a proposition that we hope will be both acceptable and profitable to you. The fact is now patent to the world that the Southern States will soon be a recognized government independent of the North, and amongst its other functions will be the establishment of a Patent Office.
Undoubtedly the patents heretofore granted by the United States will be in some form recognized and secured to the inventors or assigns.
We have now control of several hundred, and by an effort can secure as many more.
You, we suppose, can control as many more.
Now, we propose that our firm and yourself obtain the control of as many as possible, and that you take the necessary steps to secure the patents for the Confederate States.
We will advance, from time to time, all the money necessary, and divide equally the profits.
The South must of necessity, in a few years; become somewhat a manufacturing country, and by securing the control of existing patents we can, to a great extent, secure to ourselves a monopoly.
There is scarcely a machine or instrument of common use but is covered by one or more patents; and to a person of your practical sense it is unnecessary to say what the effect would be both to ourselves and others.
By the control of the patents, we can dictate our own terms to manufacturers and mechanics.
Dear Sir:
Munn & Co. Yours, &c.,
This is but the advance guard of the most dangerous invasion that the South is likely ever to suffer from the North. Swarms upon swarms, thicker than the locusta of Egypt, will darken the very heavens, in their pursuit of Southern commercial prey, as soon as this war has ceased. As soon as it is discovered that Southern farms and trade are not accessible by bayonets, those magnificent ‘"arts of peace"’ in which New England has always been pre-eminent in bringing tribute from the rest of mankind, will again be brought into play. The very men who have given up their yardsticks for the sword, will return to an instrument which has proved far more dangerous to the South than their other mode of warfare, and their drummers will be drumming for Southern commerce; each and all swearing that they were opposed to the war, and had been sacrificed at home in their efforts to arrest its progress.
