The opening of Chapter XV
Review of 1861.--Summary of Hostile Acts of United States Government.--Fuller Details of some of them.--Third Session of Provisional Congress.--Message.--Subjugation of the Southern States intended.--Obstinacy of the Enemy.--Insensibility of the North as to the Crisis.--Vast Preparation of the Enemy.--Embargo and Blockade.--Indiscriminate War waged.--Action of Confederate Congress.--Confiscation Act of United States Congress.--Declared Object of the War.--Powers of United States Government.-- Forfeitures inflicted.--Due Process of Law, how interpreted.--"Who pleads the Constitution?"--Wanton Destruction of Private Property unlawful--Adams on Terms of the Treaty of Ghent.--Sectional Hatred.--Order of President Lincoln to Army Officers in Regard to Slaves.--"Educating the People."--Fremont's Proclamation.-- Proclamation of General T. W. Sherman.--Proclamation of General Halleck and others.--Letters of Marque.--Our Privateers.--Officers tried for Piracy.--Retaliatory Orders.--Discussion in the British House of Lords.--Recognition as a Belligerent of the Confederacy.-- Exchange of Prisoners.--Theory of the United States.--Views of McClellan.--Revolutionary Conduct of United States Government.-- Extent of the War at the Close of 1861.--Victories of the Year.-- New Branches of Manufactures.--Election of Confederate States President.--Posterity may ask the Cause of such Hostile Actions.-- Answer.