The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-05

! words to be reported, and / was, there
fore, anxions that he should express him.
self as fully as possible, with no more in
terruption on my part than was necessary
in order to Justify the Government of the
United States.
MR.. TAYLOR TO MR.. SEWARD.
[Extracts.]
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATEs,C
| ST.. PETERSBURG, Jan. 81, 1868.
SIR: Your dispatch No. 10, of Decem-
Der %, was received on the 18th instant.
The first portion of it, which relates to
the impression conveyed in my dispatch
No. 81, of November %, 1862, has, l
trust, been already answered by my sub
sequent dispatches. l consider that a
part of my official duty is to acquaint you,
without reserve or modification, with the
state of public opinion at this Capital con-
corning the events of our national strug-
GLE These statements, however, are en-
tirely of an objective character, and l
have, unfortunately, chosen my words, if
they suggest the inference that have, in
any manner, shared the doubts and anx-
ieties which 1 have described as being
prevalent here.
On the contrary, have invariably ex-
pressed my confidence in the strength of
the Federal power, and the successful is
sue of the struggle, not from sense of
official propriety, but from my own I'M
shaken, individual faith I believe, how
ever, that you will not have misunderstood
me in this respect.
have Just returned from an interview
with Prince Gortschacoff, which l had re-
quested Immediately upon receiving your \,
dispatch. * "Tell
Mr.. Seward" said he, 'that the best policy
of Russia in regard to the United States is
fixed, and will not be changed by the
course adopted by any other nation. We
greatly desire, as you know, the termina-
ton of your unfortunate struggle, but we
shall not offer our friendly mediation until
it is certain of being accepted by both
sides-by the Federal Government and the
Southern States. We earnestly hope for
the maintenance of the Union, but at the
same time we have no hostility to the
Southern people; and, for the sake Of
both sides we shall gladly proffer our SER
vices when they are mutually requested,
but not until then" This reply, trust,
will prove as explicit and satisfactory as
you could have desired; but it is probably
no more than the course of Russia hither-
to has led you to anticipate
also gave the Prince the explanation
you required, concerning the statement of
the strength and resources of the United
States, which sent to him, unofficially,
in November. In compliance with your
request, informed him that you would
not have instructed me to take this step,
and, therefore, would not have given your
sanction had you ben informed of it in
advance. He answered that he regarded
the paper at the time he received it en-
tirely as confidential communication !;
that he had read it with very great inte-
rest, and was very glad had prepared it,
as it contained important facts which had
not previously come to his knowledge. He
further said, that he regarded the relations
between the two countries as possessing,
necessarily, something of an intimate and
confidential character, and my act was,
therefore. especially that of friend.
The best justification which can offer
for an unauthorized step of the kind is the
good effect which 1t evidently produced 1
did dot even venture upon it without care
full deliberation, nor can | now perceive,
looking back to that period, that it was i'll
judged. For the previous two months our
military operations only had been watched
by European observers; and in November
the impression was very general here, even
among our friends, that the National cause
was about to fall. do not suppose that,
except myself, single diplomatic repre-
sentative at this court had faith in our sue
cess; our real sources of strength were
overlooked; and the Imperial Government,
hearing nothing but unfavorable opinions
from all quarters, showed signs of impa-
tience and dependency. 1t seemed to me
that Russia had deserved, by her steady
friendship toward us, that her confidence
in our national power and stability should
be supported. Such support knew would,
under the circumstances, be acceptable to
her, no less than advantageous to US. The
paper prepared was simple exhibition of
our actual strength and resources 1t con-
tanned no argument; it was sent to Prince
GOrtchacOf unofficially; and, as I have
to-day learned from His Excellency, the act
was understood precisely as l have desired.
Before receiving your last dispatch. had
considered that was incidentally justified
by the closing words of your dispatch No.
8, of December 7, stating that the Presi-
dents message, and the accompanying re-
ports, would be very useful in enabling me
''tO show to Prince Gortchacoff the
grounds of the public confidence in the
stability of the Union" l had already en-
deavorel to do the same thing by antici-
pating some of the statements contained in
these documents.
In conversing afterwards on the recent
news from the United States, especially the
military movements in the West, and the
sections of Murfreesboro and Vicksburg,
the Prince took occasion to say, I" I shall
be glad, nevertheless, when you cease to
show me laurels. They are always dipped
in blood; but whenever you have a
branch of olive to exhibit. bring it to me
at once" I replied that could, at least,
offer him an olive Le0f in the mapnani.