Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-26
d. HI~rcier's Visit TO RI. hmon0

u. h-rcier's Visit TO HI. hniOHO.
Saor Sharp and Decisive Not. from Secretary Sswa,d
J. II His Explanation of M. Mercie1's Despatch to NJ
1heucene', &C., &C., &c.
WASHINGTON, Feb IL, 1868.
he following communication transmitted to the
Senate today
To the p. esident of The United States:
The Secretary of State, to whom referred
luton CT the Senate passed the 9th day OF February
instant in these words, viz
RtsoRVed That the President of the United States be
requested to communicate to the Senate if not incom
patbie with the public interest the character OF the
suggestions made by The Secretary OF State of the Uni
ted States to NJ MERCER the representative of the Eur
peror of the French to this government narrated
his communication to NJ Thouvenel under the date OF
the 18th Of April last, which induced Nj. Mercer to
undt rtake his mssiOa 10 Richmond 10 that month and
what repesen atons any, he authorz ID to make
from this gOverLme from the Secretary OF Stale
to the Confederate authorities
las the honor to submit Il following report -
q hat suggestion, made to M. .Mercer by the
Secretary OF State that induced Designed or cal
cudted to induce him TO undertake mission to Rich
H1oqd III pril last at any other time He was not
hen has he any other person s~ ever been au-
hOrzed by this govei the Secretary of State
to make any representations OF kind any sub
ject TO the lnsurEectlonary agents caed athor
ties at Richmond or to hold any communication with
them on behalf Of this government. -Gsa
From the beginning OF the present disturbances until
the spring of 1862 this department charged with
the authority OF granting passes CT passports through
the lines of the government forces 1t early became
question whether foreign Ministers. residing in the
United States should be denied such passports 1t was
thought sound arc liberal policy to have them free to
visit any part of the country to which they accced
tied, long there should be ground to question
their good faith toward this government This has
been uniformly avowed the OF tn government
Accordingly passport granted IN the month of
April, 1861, to his Excellency Rudolph Scheiden Min
lister Resident here OF the republic OF Bremen like
passport was granted 10 August 1861 to the French
Minister attended by his Royal Highness the Prince
jerome Napoleon, then on a visit to this capital and
in April last similar passport to the French Minister
These passports were granted at the request of those
distinguished persons respectively, BE and not any
suggestion OF the government or Secretary of
They severaly Travelled in private and unofficial Ca
paclty. RS5~ They bore communication, whether
formal informal verbal written, from this govern
ment from the Secretary of State to any of the in
surgents, ~Ya and they brought none from any such
person to this government or the Secretary OF State
Say Since the 4th of March, 1861, no communication
direct Indirect formal informal $50 has bsen held
by this government by the Secretary of State with
the insurgents, their aiders abettors No passport
has been granted to any foreign minister to pass the
military lines except By the Presidents direction and
each of such ministers who has received such passport
has, upon his return waited upon the President ss well
the Secretary of State, 62S~ and given them such
account, unasked he thought proper Of the incidents
of his Journey Of course, these statements are 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.
Respec fully submitted,
WLL1Ha 81. SEWARD
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, Feb. 9, 1868.
NJ MERGERS ACCOUNT
in order that readers may be abs to under stand
this most important diplomatic correspondence pub
llsh literal translation OF Nj MERCER despatch to NJ
Tbouvenel
=, ..,, . WASHINGTON April 49, lss2
In the last conversation which had with him Mr..
Seward under the impression of the satisfactory
which be had received from the West be laid before me
all the reasons which he believed went to prove the ap-
preaching re-establishment OF the Union.
AS We we're talking, the remark escaped NE, a, ifby
chance. that regretted much bot being able to
myself Of the condition OF things at Richmond. Mr..
Seward replied to me, at once, that could very easily
20 tbther that all had to do to send fer OF
ships that it mi ht carry to Norfolk, and thai
he entirely willing to pass for this visit.
Having had intention of calling out this response
hs~ and not having foreseen it, said to him shat
weuld reflect and soon bring him my answer.-eSN
Taking all things into consideration conclude that
from the moment I undertook this voyage, Rsg~ with
the ecauesence thorough OF the Secretary OF State
almost it seemed, in compliance with his desire -ya
it would be easy for me, by the exercise of little pru
dence to prevent any inconvenent result and that
the other hand beside the advantage of furnishing
the opportunity to collect precious information could
have that H- OF preparing the way for recourse to
good offices of facilitating the pacific ar
rargement of which experienced strongly the
ned ~ss decided then to accomplish it but udg
ed it indispensable "a" not to leave my colleague the
Minister of England in ignorance of my departure ss
and took pairs it to him. declaring to hin
that in informing Mr.. Seward of my determination
should take care to tell him had definitely Glhen il
until after conversation with my colleague. | then re-
paired to Mr.. Sew ard, and told him that the Emperor
being always disposed to lend his good Offices to the Fed
eral Government believed was faithful to bis sent
mnts in decding-the Secretary Of State seeing in
convenience in the proceedingto depart for Richmond
It natural moreover that should have the desire
under the presen: circumstances, to put myself In
munication with consus, in order to judge fox my
self of the situation while using the recognized right oil
foreign ministers residing in the United Staes to visit
all points 10 the territory of the Union.
AS to the language that should hod, lit easy to
divine it. As the involved considerable injury to
our interests, should go 10 order to myself OF
the chances that mig exist that it's end aid b.
reached. IT, while this subject, oue1tures made
to me relative to the recognition Of the Conedsraey OF
the South I should answer that it ought to be under
stood that in my position could only speak of the re-
establishment Of the Union-that general intere 81
had always made look upon separation with regret
and that interests at the moment ought to make
WISH before every thing es the end Of the war which In