Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-23
M. MERCIER,s vIsIT TO RICHMOND.

M. MERCIER,S VISIT To RICHMOND.
Short Sharp and Decisive Note from Secretary Seward
His Explanation Of NJ Mercier's Despatch to M.
ThOuvsnel, &C., &C., SC.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1868.
The following communication was transmitted to the
Senate to-day:
To the President Of the United States:
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred rsso.
luton Of the Senate passed on the 9Th day Of February
instant in these words, viz:
Resolved That the President of the United States be
requested to communicate TO the Senate, If not ncom-
patibe with the public interests, the character of the
suggestions made by the Secretary of State Of the
United States NJ Mercer the representative Of the
Emperor of the French to this government as narrated
in his communication TO NJ. Thouvene under the date
of the 18th of April last which induced NJ Mercier to
undertake his mission to Richmond in that month"; and
what representations if any, he authorized to make
from this government from the Secretary of State,
to the Confederate authorities
has the honor to submit the following report
That no suggestions were made to NJ Mercier by the
Secretary of State that induced designed cdcu-
latedto induce him 10 undertake amissiOa to Richmond
in April last at any other time He not them
has he or any other person ever been, authorized by This
Government or 6y The Secretary Of State 10 make any
representations of any kind any subject 10 the in-
srectonary agents SOedlled authorities at Rich
pond TO hold any communication pihi them behd!f
Of this government.
From the beginning of the present disturbances until
the spring Of 1862 this department was charged with
the authority of granting passes or passports through
the lines Of the government forces 1t early became
question whether foreign Minister'S residing in the Uni
ted States should be denied such passports. It was
thought sound and liberal policy to leave them free to
visit any part of the country to which they accred
ed 50 long as there should be no ground question
their good faith towards this government. This has
been uniformly avowed the of the government
| Accordingly passport was granted in the month OF
April 1861, to his Exceency Rudolph Scheiden, Min
| lister Resident here of the republic OF Bremen A
like passport was granted in August 1861 to the French
Minister, attended by his Royal Highness the Prince
Jerome Napoleon, then on visit to this capital; and
in April last similar passport to the French Min
iser These passports granted at the request OF
those distinguished persons respectively and not on any
suggestion of the government or Secretary Of State They
severaly travelled in private and unofficial capacity
7Hsy bore no communication, hsther formal informal
verbal or yrittsH from this government from the Sec
resary of Stale to any insurgents and they brought
none from any such person this government or to
the Secretary of State. Since the 4h Of March 1851,
no communication direct indirect formal or informal,
has been held by this government or by the Secretary
of State with the insurgents their aiders abetors
passport has been granted to foreign minister to
pass the military lines except by the Presidents direction
and each of such ministers who has received such pass
port has upon his return waited upon the President as
count undsked as he thought proper of the incidents Of
his journey. OF course, those statements to be
qualified far the facts relating to communications
concerning the exchange of prisoners and other military
matters in charge Of the War Department may affect
| them.
Respectfully submitted,
| WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, Feb. 9, 1868.
NJ MERcIER's ACCOUNT.
A.. a, he abl IN a
this most important diplomatic correspondence pub
fish literal translation of NJ Mercier's despatch TO NJ
| ThOuvenel:
WASHINGTON, ApfllS 1862.
MONSIEUR LIZ MIMsTRE:
In the last conversation which had with him (Mr
Seward under the impression Of the satisfactory news
which he had received from the West he laid before me
all the reasons which he believed went prove the ap
preaching re-establishment OF the Union.
As we were talking, the remark escaped me- asst BY
chance that regretted much not being able to assure
| myself of the condition of things at Richmond Mr.
Seward replied TO me- once that could very easily
90 thither that all had to do was to send for one OF
our ships that il mig carry to Norfolk and that he
entirely willing to give me pass for this visit
Having had intention Of calling out this response
aud not having foreSesn a. said to hiR that iUOuld
| reflect aud soon bring him my
Taking all things into consideration, conclude that
from the moment undertook this voyage nth the
g4ieseence 50 thorough Of the Secretary Of State-Gnos
as Il seemed IN compliance Nth has desireit would be
easy for me- by the exercise of little prudence, pre-
vent any announcement result and that on the other hand
beside the advantage of furnishing the opportunity
to collect precious information, it could have that Of
preparing Ihe for recourse 10 good Offices
of facilitating The pacific arrangement Of Which
| oerienced strongly The need / decided then to
complish it, but judged it indispensable not 10 lear,
piy colleague tie Minister Of England, an ignorance o.
mn DEPARTURE and took pains TO announce it to him
declaring him that, in informing Mr.. Seward Of my
determination should take TO tell him had no
dehuitvey taken it until after conversation with my col
! league | then repaired to Mr. Seward and told hin
that the Emperor being always disposed to lend his
good Offices to the Federal Government | believed
was faithful his sentiments in decdngthe Secretary
of State seeing inconvenience in the proceeding-tC
depart for Richmond. II was natural moreover, that
should have the desire under the present circumstances
put myself in communication with our consuls in or
der to Judge Cor myself Of the situation while using th
recognized right Of foreign ministers residing in h
United States to visit all points in the territory of thu
| Union.
As to the language that should hold il vas easy Il
divine il. As the involved considerable injury TO
interests should go in order TO myself of th'
chances that might exist that its end would soon b,
reached If while this subject, mad
10 me Feidtip 10 the recognition OF the COfedsrdcy Of IN
South should answer that it ought to be understood
that in nv position could only speak of the re-eslab
nenL OF tue OulOu-luAt BcueTdl nhu NJ
ways made look upon separation with regret and tina
our interests at the moment ought to make with be
fore everything else the end Of the which inter
rupted our commerce. that in the disposition in which t
population of the North seemed 10 be- recognition Wou
not decide the Federal government TO raise the block
ade that for peace the only prayer cou'
FORM and that should consequently be dsposed d.
everything which depended u.s. in order that il nigh
be made soon possible in the convenience Of boil
parties.
IL rd' understood bssides that / should reports to Mr.
Seodrd only phdt authorized 20 repeat TO h0a.
M. Se,Odrd said to me that might add, if found Al
opports OCCASION that, an has opinion, The Worth Od
ANIMATED By sentiment OF rengednee and thai, TO
himself he should With pleasure sd himself again Il
the Senate Ia tie presence Of all those Vh0m the SOGt
thought IL Ut to send hither.
After this conversation wrote word by teleg rap
to the commander Of the Gassend, who at For
Monroe 10 beg him to come and take me, at the earl
est possible moment OH board his ship at Alexandra
or Annapolis and begged Mr.. Seward to take th
trouble TO expedite the delivery of the despatch.
MERcIER.