, 1861-10-15
The Truth HeRard4ng the O2er Mnde
: to GAr1DAlaf.1 =
Correspondence OF the N. T. .'Times.l
pkp1s Fr{dhy Eent y 1871


We have, at length, arrived q: the truth in
regard to the Gsriba1di atfzfr. There are d.
p1om8tic documents in the cabe, and 1t may
be that they will be published before this
reaches the United States; bat, for fear they
may not, it Is better, no doubt, that I give
In the first place, friends Of Garibaldi intl-
mated to the Government at Washington long
ego, that the General took deep interest ID
the struggle between the Union and Slavery,
anG that, without doubt, he could be induced
to 1erd his powerful aid to the National arms.
The fact was stated In such way that the
Government regarded It as an offer Of services,
and feeling deeply sensible for such mark OF
confidence and good will on the part Of the
great italian leader, ordered negotiation to
be commenced in regard to the matter. This
negotiation, on acccunt Of bis personal ac-
qnaintance with Garibaldi and bis knowledge
Of European languages, was co1f1ded to Mr.
Sanford, Minister To Belgium Mr. 8. wss au-
tborized to make terms with Gen. Gar1baldi
for the command Of q division Of the Ameri-
to convey to the General an expression Of the
high esteem Of The American Government for
his eminent patriotism and abilities.
L the first correspondence which took plaza,
ooly general terms were used, there being
nothing more definite than an Offer OF service
Iect1on with th1s fact, the impression all at
cnce grew general In Europe proceeding
partly from the affair Of Bull Run-that the
National srmy wss in great straits for . com
meant the chief command. Garibaldi'a Gen
erals, Bi1io, Turr, S;rtorl and others, st once
gathered around him and offered to aecompa-
ny him to America, where they supposed
great field Vas to be opened for their loved
cLief in the emancipation Of slavery and the
can Republic. All this was highly honorable
both Garibaldi and lis Generals, and they
thereby earned 1he gratitude Of the loyal
| Amt 1ican people, for their motive was not
pure adventure, as might be supposed their
| hearts were in the contest, aud they felt that
there, as well as in Italy, they would be fight
irg the universal battle Of civilization and hu-
| mpuity.
But Mr. Sanford WAS not authorized to offer
Gen. Garibaldi the CHIEF command Of the Ma
tional Army-a fact which Garibald did not
comprehend till he s.w Nj: 8. at CapEera. In
the meantime the word had got out that Carl.
baldi had been offered the chief command, and
all The harm had been done, When Mr. San
ierd offered him 8 division Of the army he
was still disposed to accept, but then biz
Eieed him not to, and thus the negotiation
came to an end.
II all the discussions, Garibaldi, who is
ratura1ized citizen OF the United States
constantly spoke Of the deep interest h,
felt in the welfare Of big adopted country
f.c;ioaa to his native Italy, aud If it had no
been fer the pressure Of his friends at the las
moment, and especially the urgent letter Q
the King, he would have gone to take com
nsabd in any position the President worl
| have placed him. His whole soul is in th
cauEe Of the Union. He ehed tears Whel
fpesking Of the probable rupture Of the Grea
. Republic, and said that if it were shown t
him TINT his services were essential to th
North, nothing wonld restrain him but th
prospect Of immediate service in Italy.
} must not be believed, however, that the Kin
t and The advisers Of Garibaldi objected to b
= going from any want Of sympathy in the caus
Of the American Union; it WAS solely becaus
they could not spare him at this tmporta1
: isr removed from h6me and SO full 0; d4nger
. 1t vas not that they loved America less, b1
Gatibaldi more.