American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-02-01
An improbable Story about M. Sc
ward and Napoleon III. Tho
Late Secretary plays Big Ike.

NJ Ussfs O0oOsO SeOs oOOoe WI ~
ward and Napoleon III. Tho
Late Secretary plays Big Ike.
From the San Francisco Buletin.l
The death of the ex-Emperor Ma
pOleOn recalls an incidert of the
great Southern rebellion which has
not hitherto been made public. 1t
is well known that the late Empe-
ror of the French was an active and
mpathyzer with the South;
that more than once he seriously
material Intervention in
its behalf; that the invasion of
and the enthrOnement OF
in the seat of the Monte
zumas was part of a deliberate plot
to break up the American Union.
But to what lengths he proceeded
how rpsOlutely determined he was to
carry his fell design into execution
has never been known outside OF
a narrow official circle. The story
of his purpose is short but suggest.
i've, and was told by Mr.. Seward to
a few personal friends at a dinner
party, among whom was the writer
of this article. No one who was
present will ever forget the intense
earnestnesss and animation of the
great statesman as he related the
momentOus incident. The exact
words, SO pregnant with eloquent
meaning-so solemn and impassiOD-
ed-we can not in every instance
reproduce, but the general import
is given below:
cit was," said Mr.. Seward, Sin
the darkest hour of the rebellion.
Disaster upon disaster had befallen
the Union armies. Treason was
active and bold-frOnted at Wash
ington, in the North and in the
Wes0 Rebel emissaries and their
allies were plotting against US over
the Canadian border. Our foreign
relations were most critical. Rebel
cruisers were being fitted out in
British ports and sent to prey upon
our commerce Germany was cold
~ neutral; the smaller European
states were Indifferent spectators of
the conflict Russia was the only
friend we had among the powers of
the earth.
"In this desperate emergency I
received an autograph letter from
the Emperor OF the French. 1t was
marked private and confidential.
1t began with expressions of person
al regard for myself and pain at the
spectacle of the great republic in
the throes of dissolution. Person
ally,' said Napoleon. could wish
the cause of the Union to succeed.
But the welfare Of France and the
force of popular opinion are para
mount to ndiyidual sympathies.
Our commercial interests are seri-
ously suffering from the prolonga-
ton of your war. My subjects APP
peal to me to arrest the bloody con-
flict. I must obey the voice of
France at whatever cost. You can
not put down the rebellion embrace
the first opportunity to make terms
with the South. If you fail to do
this, shall feel compelled, in the
interests of my country-in the in
terests of civilization-tO intervene
with all the power at my command
81 answered NapOleOn's insult
ing letter Immediately. 1 did not
waste words in compliments. l
said: This is family quarrel. We
propose to settle it in our own way
and in our own time. We do not
wish the assistance of outsiders /;
We will not brook Interference. The
American Union is to be preserved.
1t shall be preserved if it takes
twenty years to do it. The war is
hardly commenced; the people have
just begun to warm to the work.
We wish to be on good terms with
our neighbors-we wish especially
to be on good terms with France,
our ancient friend and ally. But
you must keep hands off. If you
presume to intefere, we will show
you what q free people, battling for
national existence, are capable OF.
Hitherto We have conducted the
war humanely, in accordance with
the codes that govern the most
christian States. Interference on
your part will be the signal for a
war of conquest and destruction.
We will free the negroes; we will
put arms IN their hands and send
them forth to rayage and plumber.
We will make the South q waste
and a desOlatlOn. Raise q hand
against US and horrors worse than
those of San Domingo will be seen
from one end of the South to the
other.
The letter was sent by the first
steamer. The same day l telegraph
ed ThurlOw Weed. Archbishop
Hughes and Bishop Simpson to
meet me at the AstOr House the
following. That evening
left for New York, and explained
to these eminent gentlemen tho OBJ
ject OF the conference and the new
danger that threatened the Union
cause. 1 told them that they must
at once go to Europe, to labor un.
with the Government and
ruling classes in England and on
the Continent, to represent the