The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-02-27

been authorized by, this Government, OF by
the Secretary of State, to make any repre-.
sensations Of any kind or on any subject to
the insurrectionary agents, or so-called 'au-
tborities at Richmond, or to hold any commu-
nication With them on behalf Of this Govern
ment." - -, 81
FROM the beginning Of the present disturb
ances until the Spring, of 1862, this Depart
mont was charged with the authority Of grant
ing passes or passports through the lines of
the Government forces. 1t early became a
question whether foreign ministers residing
in the United States. should be denied such
passports TWAS thought sound and libe-
raj policy to leave them free to visit any part
Of the country to which they are accredited,
so long as there should be no ground to qnss-
tion their good faith towards this Government.
This has been uniformly avowed as the course
of the Government. Accordingly, passport
was granted in the month of April, 1861, to
his Excellency Rudolph Schleiden, minister
resident here Of the Republic Of Bremen; a
liS passport waagrnnted On August 8, 1861,
to the French minister, attended by his Royal
Highness, the Prince Napoleon, Jerome)
then on visit ct this Capital. and in April
Hast, a similar passport to the French minister.
These passports were granted at the request of
those distinguished persons respectively, and
not on any suggestion; of the Government or
the Secretary Of State. They severally travel
ed in private and unofficial capacity. They
bore no communications. whether formal Or
informal, verbal or written. from the Govern
ment, or from the Secretary of State, to any
insurgents, they brought none from any such
persons to this Government. or to the Secreta-
ry of State. Since the 18th of March, 1861,
no Communication. direct or indirect, formal
or informal, has been held By the Government
or the Secretary Of State, withtbe insurgents,
their aiders or 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 passports has, on his return,
waited upon the President. as well as the Sec
rotary Of State, and given them such account,
unasked, as he thought proper, Of the Incl
dents of his journey. Of course these state-
ments are to be qualified so far as the facts
relating to communications concerning the
exchange of prisoners and other military mat
tiers in charge Of the War Department, may
effect them.
lteepcCtluIly SuUIulCtCus
60 WILLIAM 81. SEWARD.
Department Of State, Washington, Feb. y,
1868. ~ .
The letter Of the French Minister. which
has elected the resolutions Of enquiry in
the o. S. Senate and has drawn from W. a.
Seward the foregoing communication, differs
somewhat from the statement Of Linco ms
Premier. We subjoin Count Mercier's letter,
xnd leave the reader to decide between them
as to yeracity.
WASHINGTON, April Is, 1862.
MoNsIEuR LIE MINISTER:
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 rea-
sons which he believed went to prove the APP
preaching accomplishment Of the Union.
As we were talking, the remark escaped me
as II BY chance, that I regretted much not
being able to assure myself of the. condition
Of things at Richmond. Mr.. Seward replied
to me at once, that could very easily go
thither, that all I had to do was to send for
one OF our ships that it might carry me to
Norfolk, that he was entirely willing to give
me pass for this visit. Having had nc, in
tention OF calling out this response. and not
having forese en- it / said to him that l would
reflect and soon bring him my answer. q
Taking all things into consideration, ! con-;
cluded that from the moment undertook this
voyage, with the .aequiescence SC thorough Of
the Secretary Of State almost as Il seemed,
in compliance with his desire--it would be-
easy for me. BY the exercise of . lit9 pru-
5dence. to prevent any inconvenient result,
and that on the other hand, beside the adyan-
tage Of furnishing me the, opportunity 70 col
lect precious information, it could have that
OF preparing the,way for recourse to good OH
ces as means Of. facilitating the pacific ar
rangement Of which we experienced so strong
81 the need. Il decided then to accomplish it;
butt judged il indispensable not TO Leave my
colleague, the Mihistet Of England, in lgno-
rance Of my departure, and Ttook pains to
announce II to him, declaring to him that, IN
informing III. Seward Of my determination,
! should take care to tell him had not deh,