The New York herald., 1862-04-19
The Mission or the French Minister 60
RfehrNona.

ment of France " near the governments Of the
United States" with all the parade but with
all the mystery which attaches to great d.
plomatic enterprise, went down the other day
from Washington to Fortress Monroe, and
thence under flag of truce to Norfolk, en- route
for Richmond the rebel capital Of our So
called Confederate States" What can be the
object Of this mission to Richmond at this par
ticular crisis, This, next to the universal and
constant inquiry Of "Any news from York
town I" is the most prominent topic of the day.
1t is given out that the object Of NJ Mercer
is to provide for the safety Of . large amount
Of French property in the shape Of Virginia
tobacco in store at Richmond, but liable 20 the
torch of rebel incendiaries should the rebel
government be unceremoniously expelled from
Richmond by Gen. Mcclellan. If we are not
mistaken, however, the FreAch Consul at Rich
mond some time ago succeeded In making a
satisfactory arrangement concerning this
French tobacco; and, if he had not, we cannot
believe that NJ. Msrcier, in his official chsrac-
ter, and in all the state attaching to an import
ant embassy, would leave Washington for
Richmond at this crisis as o mere tobacco
agent. Tho idea is absurd.
We adhere to our theory that NJ. Mercier,
from the Emperor Napoleon, has gone to Rich
mond as peacemaker We are very much
strengthened in this opinion by the fact, which
has come into our possession, that before leav-
ing Washington on this mysterious enterprise
M. Mercier was closeted for two hours or more
VII Mr rd ofC Cfata
dare say that from this conversation the French
Minister went away entirely satisfied that tho
government of the United States intends, in
any event and against all difficulties, internal
and external, to prosecute this war to the COM
pete restoration of the territorial "integrity of
the Union;" and we presume, too, that M. Mer-
cier has for some time been convinced that the
Southern coMederacy Of jeff Davis is a failure,
and is rapidly, fading away, like castle in the
clouds.
That Louis Napoleon has lately come to this
conclusion we have every reason to believe;
and we know that the conclusions and the &C.
tons of Louis Napoleon are very apt to 60 to-
events in other nations he proceeds to meet
them, as the vigilant guardian Of France.
Hence it is our belief that M Mercier has gone
to Richmond as peacemaker; that his business
is to advise JEFF Davis to abandon this hopeless
rebellion and to rely upon the good Offices of
France with the government of the United
States in behalf Of liberal amnesty; and to warn
him, on the other hand, Of the possible interven.
ton Of France against himself and his confede-
rates if they, in spirit of barbarous ferocity,
shall extend their resistance to the Union to
the criminal extremity of wasting by fire our
Southern cotton, tobacco, sugar and rice crops,
which are so essential to meet the common
wants Of mankind.
Supposing this to be the mission of NJ. Mer-
cier, and assuming that it will be successful,
is it not apparent that the result will be per-
manent alliance, offensive and defensive, be-
tween us and our ancient ally, the great and
gallant nation of France? And is not such an
alliance in the future sufficient inducement
for this peace mission Of the French Minister,
especially when we take into the estimate the
commercial ambition and pretensions and the
designs of England upon this continents Nay.
more, is it not probable that the astounding
revolution which the inventive genius of this
country has just inaugurated in the art Of war
has given Louis Napoleon the hint that the
time has arrived for breaking off that entente
cord;ale with England which Lord Clarendon
eight years ago boasted as comprehending both
hemispheres?
Louis Napoleon, who was the first monarch
in Europe TO introduce rifed cannon into ac-
tive service in the field, has taken ths lead in
the construction of iron-plated vessels-o -of-war.
He has thus already ahoat sufficient fleet of
iron plated ships to batter down all impcdi-
ments between Boulogne and London. He
has thus the power to move an army Of two or
three hundred thousand men into the metropolis
of the British empire, and thus to destroy that
huge giant of brass upon its legs Of clay at single
blow. Is it not very probable, therefore, that
in this mission OF NJ. Mercier to Richmond there
may be the elements not only Of an immediate
submission to the Union on the part of JEFF.
Davis, but OF 'aa al liance between France and
the United States, involving a final and do
cisive settlement with England?
We shall lawai. With no ordinary degree ofin-
terest the authoritative disclosure Of the objects
and results Of N. Merciers mission. If 1t is
only tobacco, i; will, Of course, end in smoke.
But we seriously believe that 1t embraces .
mission Of peace to the South, and the seeds of
an all-powerfui alliance against England be-
tween France and the United States.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN THE C,BNEr--
Our Washington correspondent has informed
us that there have been spirited discussions and
wide differences Of opinion in the Cabinet re-
Gently, but that there may be no changes in the
Cabinet officers, since the President has said
that he "cannot afford 10 lose member of his
Cabinet every time one Of them differs with
him." That in our opinion, depends altogether