[Homer_J_Simpson]

Highly Important News: The War for the Union Commenced in Earnest– 2-5
Rebels on the Potomac: The Cumberland Valley Threatened – 5
Blockade of the Mississippi – 5
Important from Cairo – 5
Editorial: The Movement upon Virginia – 5-6
Editorial: England Recognizes the Blockade – 6
Editorial: The Strategic Line in Virginia – 6-7
Editorial: In Memoriam – 7
Obituary: Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth – 7-8
Editorial: A Way to Save Missouri – 8
A Path to California Wanted – 8

[BroJoeK]

"Editorial: England Recognizes the Blockade – 6"

Much is made on these threads of British recognition of Confederates as "belligerents" in the Civil War.
It resulted in important secret support for Confederates in the forms of weapons & ships built & sold.

But vastly more important was the British recognition of the Union blockade, especially at a time when it was virtually unenforced.
The blockade ended cotton exports to Europe, a major blow to the Confederate cause.

[BroJoeK]

The Presbyterian General Assembly.
Syracuse, Friday, May 24.

"The assembly has discussed the Home Missionary plan two days, and will, doubtless, adopt it substantially as reported.
The remaining business will then be soon finished.
The best feeling prevails."

Sadly, many Presbyterians of the time were utterly confused about the Bible's condemnations of slavery for God's people and so broke away to form their own pro-slavery United Synod of the Presbyterian Church.

This brief report from Syracuse, NY, covers an assembly of Northern Presbyterians where "the best feeling prevails."

Work on their Home Missionary plan will have an important consequence in my family's history.