The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-06 00:00:00

CRUISERS.

(From the Chicago Tribune.)
Raphael Semmes, the pirate of Alabama fame,
in a vigorous attack upon the Emperor of France, for his
duplicity and impertinence in the affairs of Mexico, makes
some interesting qatementa in regard to his Majesty's en-
couragement of the rebellion during its early stages. As
Semmes was on the spot, and doubtless has personal know-
ledge of what he states, his assertions carry with them an
authority that would attach to the statements of few other
men. He says that Mr. Slidell had frequent and satis-
factory interviews with the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs and the Minister of Marine. It was tacitly agreed
that the Confederates should construct six ships of war in
the various ports of France. The assurance of the
Emperor was given that be would shut his eyes, and
know nothing about it. Had this promise been
carried out, it was doubtless the intention to place
the formidable fleet under the command of Semmes
himself. At this time, we are told, Napoleon
, fully believed in the success of the Southern Con-
federacy. and counted with confidence on the defeat of the
Federal armies. In addition to this, he was exasperated
by the belligerent attitude of Secretary Seward on the
Monroe doctrine, and seemingly determined to revenge
himself by giving this secret aid to the rebellion. At any
rate we are told that contracts were made by rebel agents,
and the construction of these six ships of war was under-
taken for Rut before they were completed Semmes
says that Seward deceived the French government, and
made Napoleon believe that if he would stop the building
of the ships, the United States would, in due time, recog-
nise laxiinilian'a government, provided that he main-
tained a ale fivto government for a reasonable
time. At the same time Mr. Dayton is said to have
explained to the French minister that Mr. Seward's
talk about the Monroe doctrine was all made for political
capital, and meant nothing serious. The more probable
'solution of the matter, however, is found in the fall of
Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the hopeless aspect of
military affairs in the South. lie this as it may, Semmes
says that M. Drouvn de Lhuys ignored all he had said
about stuffing the Emperor's and his own ears with cotton,
and " began to hear sounds of the spike-hammer and
caulking-iron on the Confederate ships, and to complain of
the noise to Mr. Slidell." The result was that the rebel
agents were compelled to make the best disposition they
could of their contracts, to save themselves the necessity
of completing the ships on their own account.
We have little doubt the statements of Semmes are essen-
tially true, so far as they relateto theaction of Napoleon and
his ministers. He certainly would not have attempted the
establishment of an empire in Mexico, with an Austrian
prince at its head. had he not counted contidentlyupon
the success e the rebels. He was anxious to juin England
in recognising the Confederacy, and while professing
neutrality, his secret influence was invariably against the
cause of the Union. But for the success of our arms in
isi;:t and 1814, it is almost certain that in place of Semmes
as the commander of a single Alabama, we should have had
him in commando( a formidable fleet, to say nothing of
the little matter of a war with France on our hands.
These facts will scarcely increase the sympathy of the
American people for the Emperor of France, in his recent
terrible humiliation in Europe.