The Lincoln County herald., 1871-05-11
A Scrap Of History.

A Scrap Of History.
ENGLAND AND THE SOUTHERN CoNrED
ERAoY.
From the Memphis Appeal, April 1871
In an editorial 10 the Ledger, of this
date, il says: sl.
",rhere is . statement iu the papers
that Vice President Colfax recently pub.
lished 10 the Independent statement to
the effect that Russian influence alone
prevented the recognition Of the South.
srn Confsdsracy, which Lord Granville
subsequently denied 10 the House Of
Lords, 10 the following language: Asa
member Of the Palmerstom aud Russell
Cabinet, he could say that proposition
to recognise the South was not even en-.
tertained.' .t... .........
Az mere item Of history, I will
recount au incident With which I was
connected 10 London, just At the time Of
the battle at Gettysburg.
On Saturday preceding the Sunday
that news of the result Of the battle was
received 10 London, I had an interview
with Mr.. Roebuck, then q member Of
Parliament, aud the leading friend Of the
Confederate recognition in the House OF
commons. .t....
This interview was upon his imitation.
He expressed desire to speak with me
concerning the state Of affairs in the
South, preparatory TO making his speech
on . resolution introduced BY himself
looking to our recognition. My recollec.
ton is that his speech was to have been
made few nights previous, but had been
deferred, or that he contemplated making
it on that night, but had that day defer
red it. remember we'll the following
statement of his (Which l suppose is no
longer confidential, If it was.) He said
to me: 1.-THE government is pressed
hard to recognition by the Emperor Of
the French, aud I would like to have
urged my resolution, aided by this pres
sure. But We expect to hear daily Of the
definite battle In Pennsylvania. Every.
thing depends on that. I have conversed
with Palmerston, who requested me to
postpone my resolution and speech, and
be has assured me that if the Confeder
ates gain the victory 10 the battle now
about to be fought, the government will
be forced to recognition" '.,t..' ..s
I was elated with the information, fol
none Of us who knew General Lee aud
tho army Of Northern Virginia, doubted
the result mentioned the conversation
freely among the Confederates that evou
ing. .t.f . % s.......
On the next day. Sunday, about noon,
q number of Confsderates we're at my
room, in eager expectation Of the yarriva
Of the steamer of Queenstown, when I
person who professed Southern sympa
thies, but who was distrustcd, appeared
at the door aud summoned me. Ibid no
invite him in, but answered bis summons
He informed me that news had been re
ceived Of . disastrous defeat Of Geuera
Lee. replied that it was impossible
for l had news from the Confederat,
Legation, and the steamers had not beer
sighted from Queenstown. He said tina
il true, but nevertheless tho fact ia so
the news has been received. l commu
nicated the information as I received it
which produced . general gloom, al
, though no one thought tit possible that i
, could be authenticated. .. .-.' a...
} About two hours after, the steamer va
sighted and the telegraph brought th
, intelligence of the untoward and disss
! trous event. I never afterward saw th
! person have alluded to, and the matte
remains yet . mystery how the news oh
. tained circulation in London before th
? steamer could communicate with Queens
town. ...5.1 e.r ... .s....
| Whatever Lord Granville man thin
. of il, Mr.. Rosbuck WAS sanguiue 10 tn
assurance which be thought he had frol
: Lord Pslmerston. ...a 1
Igive you the above merely as 40 tier
:. Of history. Mr.. Roebuck said yet NOR
!. to mo. He said Lord Pslmerstom { Pa
o merston, % be styled bim,) sympathize
!, wholly with the South, and but for othe
D restraints would have already expresss
: them and remember, be gave me til
energetic laoguags Of Lord PsImerston .
. to what they would do ip the event Of on
suecsss 10 Pennsylvanis. s5.ta-5.l4 d.
England ought not to try to escape fo'
o the only part Of her policy toward II
. . Csufederaoy which 10 orsditsble to her,
!. mean the inolinstiou to recognise us
y she had dared. Whom l say If she hs
: dared, do not mean to imply that Oh
was afraid Of tho "universal Yankee q,
q ton" But inasmuch - she had fougl
q agsiust the Declaration Of Independent
d aud the right Of self'goverumeut in lit
!, she vas timid about consistency. q b
she need not have been, for Masaash'
sets makes no point on that score, fro
the base Of Bunker Hill. foa .1.,-.
II Very respectfully. yours.
D. K, McRAE.