Yankee Perfidies.
We are among the number of those who never had much faith in the
cartel. We believed that, while we observed it, the
Yankees would be sure to violate it. We understand they have picketed the
State of Maryland, from
Baltimore to
Fredericktown, with the prisoners taken at
Manassas, and discharged on parole.
They proclaim through their papers their determination to send the
Harper's Ferry prisoners to reinforce
Pope.
Of course this is a palpable violation of the
spirit of the cartel, and we believe it is also a violation of the
letter. At least we hope our commissioners were not guilty of so great an oversight as to omit a clause forbidding the paroled troops to serve anywhere, whether against us or not. If they did, then the cartel is a blank, for the
Yankees can take the prisoners, as fast as we parole them, put them in their garrisons, and take the men whose places they supply for field service against us.
The old Congress of the Revolution were a one time in great perplexity about
Burgoyne's captured army.
That vainglorious asa,
Gates, was so elated with the success won for him by other men, that he forgot to insert a clause in the articles of capitulation requiring the soldiers not to serve anywhere.
As soon as they should return to
Great Britain, the
British Government might put them in the garrisons or send them to
India, and take an equal number from these services as substitutes for them.
The Congress saw that, and, from some cause, suspected that such was the actual design.--Thus believing, they refused to deliver up the prisoners.
We hope our Government will take the hint, and act upon it in future, especially as the
Yankee papers notice the arrival at
Baltimore of Confederate prisoners taken in the late battles, in open violation of the cartel.
