Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-01-17
JP. BENJAMIN, Secretary Of Stat
Nj. Reniamia d III. .SlideR.


| SIR: since my No Of 26th ultimo. of which dupl
is herewith forwarded circumstance of very
remarkable character have to the knowledge of the
President, 10 which your earnest attention Ia invited
On the eth iusant the President received from Gov
Lubbock, Of Texas letter Of which copy is annexed
marked A, with enclosures Nos. and 2
The very singular nature of this correspondence Initial
ed you will perceive. bY Mr.. Theron, French Con-
sular Agent and Spanish Vice Consul at Galveston nat
rally excited lively interest but had not yet arrived
at any satisfactory conclusion to tbs nature and extent
the of the intrigue evidently foot, when,
the 18th instant, the President received from the Hon W.
s. Oldham, Senator from Texas letter OF which copy
marked Is, is herewith enclosed
The concurrent action Of two French Con uar officers
at points remote from each other Galveston ard
Richmond; the evident unders landing which exists be-
tween them; the similarity Of their views and conduct
the chaice of Mr. Oldham the party to b. approached
be being generally considered identified with The party
opposed TO the Administration, While Mr. Wigfall is is
supporter oil concur IN satisfying that there Is not only
concert OF action between these officials but that their
conduct has been dictated by superior In
plain language feel authorized to infer that the French
Government has, for interest Of it's instruc ed
of its consular agents here to feel the way, and IT
possible to provoke movement the part of the
State of Texas which shall result n its withdrawal from
the Conederacy 1t is dficlt if not impossible any
other hypothesis to account for the conduct these agents
have in accordance with the instructions OF the Pres
dent expelled both Mr. Theron and Mr. Tabouee from the
Conderacy and have forbidden their return without the
previous permission Of the Government enclose you
| copies of the orders Of expulsion, marked and D.
In endeavoring to account for such of action on
the part Of the French Government, only attribute
! it to or both Of the following causes:
let The Emperor Of the French has determined to
qer aud hold Mexico colony and is DESTROYS Of inter
posing weak power between his colony and the Con-
ederate States in order that he may feel against
| any interference with his degns on Mexico.
I'd The French Government is desreus of securing for
itself independent Of cotton supply to offset that
possessed by Great Britain Ilda and designs to effect
his purpose by taking under its protection the State Of
Texas which after being acknowledged independent
republic, would in its opinion, be in effect dependent
France and as su5servent to Frenchnerests If French
cooay.
u more than probable that both these considerations
would have weight in the councils of the French Cabinet
and not without suspicion thathe ortuous diplomacy
of Mr.. Seward may have had influence in inspiring
such designs The desire to weaken the Conederacy to
exhibit TO the world as roPeof sani, without con-
sstence cohesion and therefore worthy of
milton independent member of the family of nations,
would afford ample motives for tha adoption If such
by the Cabinet of the United States which driven
10 diplomacy Of expedents in the desperate effort TO
avert the impending dom which awaits the party in
power in Washington.
One ether suggestion to me, which you may
cere purely conj Scural my part 1t is known
personally that at the date of the annexation of Texas to
the United States, Mr.. Dubois de Saleny, the present
| French Miniser in Mexico, a.d who at that time
French Charge dAfaires to the Republic of Texas
veementy opposed TO the annexation and sctve in
endea,orng 10 obstruc and it, Even Mt that date
the despstchts of Mr. Guzo', which had opportunity
of reading, filed with arguments to show that the
interests If Texas identical with those of France
and that both wJul be promoted by the maintenance Of
separata nationality in Texas. The intrigue foot
therefore, aecords completely with policy in regard to
Texas that may be almost said TO be traditional with
France; aud il is not Impossible that the movement of the
consular agents here has received its first mpne from the
French legation in Mexico instead of the Cabinet of the
/ lotteries
| These movements are not considered as having the
slightest importance far their effect Texas is
earned The answers OF Governor Lubbock and the letter
OF Mr.. Oldham will satisfy you how little tho gentlemen
We're disposed to encourage such empts while the popu
feeling in Texas best enced by the fact that she has
seventy Regiments OF 0stanteers in our army Bat the
evidence thus afforded OF disposition the part of
France to seize on this crsso fate her occasion
for the promotion Of selfish interests this after the
assurances OF friendly disposition at worst impartial
neutrality which you have received from the Leading public
Of France, cannot but awaken socitude; and The
President trusts that you will every effort to discover
hs surce extent and designs Of these ntrigues, and
whether the United States parties to them. 1t may
perhaps De Ia your pewr 70 make use OF this discovery
also by awakening the Brii.h Government to a sense Of
the fact that designs rnertsacd Of which that Govern
meDt IS not probably aware AID which il may be unwilling
( to accoupls shed
An enlarged and generous craftsmanship would to
indicate clearly that tho establishment of Southern in
dependence basis (a.d with strength syfi-
Gent to connterbaan the power o the United Stats
well as to prevent extensive French colou cation on
southern border) would promote the true interests of
Great Britain, that find it difficult to account for her
persistent refusal to recognise Independence The
knowledge OF secret attempt the part cf France TO
obtain sep9rse advantages OF sach vast magnitude may
perhaps induce change in the views Of the Brtih Cabi
net psak 0f the attempt secret for it is scarcely pos
be TO suppose that the act on of the French agents is
4
Government III ynu 10 the conclusion that these
canecures arc We'll founded, you at be ry make
known 10 her Mses ys Government the facts herein
inundated either through the British Minister at Paris
by cOacet with Mr. Mason II is deemed desirable that
in either event you should advice Mr. Mason the course
you may adopt it Ia very probable that the Engish
Government will learn from Richmond the fact Of
puon Of the Cnnsu and the OF tie action of THE
Government which frn ts very nature is accom- panied
with some degree Of publicity.
cnclose tS Mr. Mason for his information copy Of this
conmualc alton. Your obedeDt servant,
j l.. BENJAMIN, Secretary cf State
Hon. JOHN SLIDELI, Comm soner, sc d C., Paris
OCTOBER 90 1862
p. S Sine, the foregoing written have had an in
teryew with Mr.. Tabuuee, and from the explanations Of
lered by him and certain facts which have me 10 my
knowledge, have become satsfed that notwithstanding
the singular coincidence between hs conversation with
Lubbock, there concert Of action between them
The order for his expulsion has been therefore revoked
you will perceive by the annexed copy Of letter to him,
marked Il.
Theron msy acted bs ideas Of what he sup
sequence of instructions. The whole matter one OF
how best treat It, after endeavorng to Eat sly yourself
Whether Therohs movements dictated By the French
Cab1et Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
}. Z. BENJAMIN, Secretary OF State.
Private and confidential
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
4 fuegc0 4 Goufe.o nj