The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-21
NAPOLEON TIE THIRD.
An Interview Betyo.u the Tgm neror
John y. e.. Abbott.

John ). q. Abbott.
IRON ne NetO Haven Journal and Courier.
No. RUE CAsTIGLIoNE, PARIS, Marcn /, 1867
My Uear Sir:--lt is with no little hesitation
mat venture to wrlte Tins little. 1t may expose
me TO unpleasant remark. But, with a eau
nous pen, | will eudcavor to describe some
incidents which think will interest my friends
in New Haven.
Three days ago l had private interview
with the Emperor. lie received me by the
hreSlde, entirely alone, IN one of the interior
parlors OF the palace, and with the most graft
ymg cordlaltty. With apparently perfect
trankness he conversed tor uearly an hour upon
all the great questions Of the day, expressing
gratitude Tor the justice which had been done
by my pen to the Emperor Napoleon l. and his
satisfaction that the acts OF his own administra-
ton were 10 be recorded in a friendly spirit.
While informing the Emperor that | had ex-
plored the libraries and bookstalls of Paris to
OBTAIN every book and pamphlet which had
been published during the fifteen wears of mis-
reign, upon the domestic policy aud foreign
diplomacy OF France, and that had an agent IN
LONDON to purchase every publication there
upon those subjects, and tnat / was anxious to
obtain such documentary evidence as would
carry the conviction of the truth of my nara
tive to every impartial mind, said; -
when | reflect upon the oirth OF your Ma
Jesty In Paris, the hTst empire then in the
zenith Of its glory-the birth of the Imperial
Prince welcomed, not only by the ringing of all
the Dells OF the metropolis, and the firing of the
guns OF the lnvaldes, but also by every demon
stration of JOY from Hamburg to Rome, and
from the PyTenees to the Danube-the over
throw OF the empire by the Allied Powers, and
the expulsion OF the Bonaparte family from
trance-the retirement OF Queen Hortense, with
her two sons, to the secluded castle of Arnen-
burg-the careful education fthe young princes
IN these solitudes-their Youthful enthusiasm
IN joining the Italian patriots in their en-
deavor to throw off the Austrian yoke-the
death OF the elder brother, in your Maesty's
arms, from the exhaustion OF the disastrous
campagn-the expulsion of Queen Hortense
10 iyi inn chi from thn p,AVAtir Of
EurOpe-your Majesty's wanderings in America
the return to Encland-the unsuccessful en-
teTpIlses Of Strasbourg and Boulogne-the final
expulsion of the BOurbOns from France-the
welcome your Majesty received, on your return
to your native land, by being elected to the
Chamber OF Deputies by the almost unanimous
vote of Paris-your speedy election as
President of the Republic, by nearly six
millions of yotes-the coup deidt-the en-
phatic Endorsement of that act by the French
people, in re.electng your Majesty for an ad-
dltional term of ten years by vote Of nearly
seven mlllions-the re-establlshment OF the EN-
plre by the Senate of France, confirmed by a
popular vote of nearly eight millions-the
Roman quesuon-the Crimean campaigning e
liberation of ltaY-the Mexican question, and
the fifteen years Of peace, prosperity, and hap
piness enjoyed under your Maesty's reign-6f.
teen years of such tranquility and progress as
the kingdom never experienced before during
all the centuries OF the past-When / recall
these scenes to mind, cannot but regard the
career OF your Majesty as the subli NEST drama
OF the nineteenth century; and it seems to me q
matter of great moment that a truthful record
OF these events should be transmitted to pos.
terity."
1t perhaps would not be proper for me tc
record the frank remarks which the Emperor
made in response. One sentiment, however
which he uttered, it cannot be wrong to state
In reference TO the fifteen years OF prosperity
such as absolutely never before France ha
enjoyed under his MajestY's reign, the Bmpe
ror remarked
"That is true. Mr.. Abbott, 1t is certainly true
and it is a suggestive fact that during these
fifteen years france has never witnessed the
shadow of an insurrectiOn or of barricade II
the Streets"
Then, after a moments pause, he added
at must be obvious to every unprejudiced
mind, that all the measures OF the Administra
tion are endeavors to promote the peace and
prosperity of the French people"
In reference to the Me&can question | re
Marked
81 have always felt it to be great mistak,
that our Government did not lend its mora
support to the only Government which i
seemed to me promised the restoration of peac
and order TO Mexico. The overthrow of tn
Empire inevitably plunges that unhappy peopl
into that state of chronic anarchy which ha
desolated the country for halt a century,"
To this view the Emperor expressed hi
assent saying:-"I have regretted deeply hav
ing been so much misunderstood in America
1t seemed 10 me that it was for the interest G
the United States, as well as for the interests o
Mexico that there should be a stable Govern
ment there, which should secure protection
to the people and develop industry" He ais
expressed au earnest desire to maintain triendl
relations with the United States.
The interview was prolonged for nearly al
hour. saw no visible indications OF illhealtt
though the Emperor looked decidedly olde
than when / saw MIN fourteen years ago. II
alluded, in the course of the conversation, t
that interview, which he remembered. AS
took my leave he took me cordially by tn
hand expressed the intention TO see me agair
and grauhed me by the assurance that he sbOul
send to my address copy Of all his publshe
works-which are quite Yoluminous-foa th
Emperor intellectually one OF the most hlghl
cultivated men in Europe,
The next evening was honored with pull
Tic presentation to the Emperor and Empires
at a magnificent soree in the Tuileries. Fou
thousand guests were present The presents
tion scene was very imposing. 1t may not b
improper for me TO state that | was honored b
particular attention. When my name wa
mentioned the Emperor approached, and takin
me by the hand, said:-
81 am happy to see you, Mr.. Abbott; bid yo
welcome TO the palace of the Tuileries."
This was an honor which was not cOnferre
upon any one else. 1t is with continual
hesitating pen that briefly record these scene
/ am fully aware that will expose myself
imputatiOns that will be painful TO me. But
am sure / have many kind friends in Ne
Haven who will read this record with inreTes