Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-14
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The death of the ex-Emperor Napoleon
recalls an incident of the great Southern
Rebellion which has not hitherto been
made public. 1t Is well known that the
late emperor of the French was an active
and earnest sympathzer with the South
that more than once he seriously meditated
material Intervention in its behalf; that
the invasion of Mexico and the enthrone-
ment of Maximilan in the seat of the Mon
tezumas was a part of a deliberate plot to
break upthe American Union. But to what
lengths he proceeded-how resolutely deter
mined he was to carry his fell design into ex-
ecution has never been fully known outside
of narrow official circle. The story of his
purpose is short but suggestive, and was
told by Mr.. Seward to a few personal
friends at dinner party, among whom
was the writer of this article. No one who
was present will ever forget the intense
earnestness and animation of the great
statesman as he related the momentous in
cident. The exact words so pregnant with
eloquent meaning, so solemn and impas-
sioned-we cannot in every instance pro-
duce, but the general import is given be-
low:
at was" said Mr.. Seward, sin the dark
est days OF the rebellion. Disaster upon
disaster had befalen the Union armies.
Treason was active and bold-fronted at
Washington, in the North and in the West.
Rebel enissaries and their allies were plot
ting 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 coldly neutral
the smaller European States were indffer-
ent spectators of the conflict; Russia was
the only friend we had among the powers
of the earth.
ain this desperate emergency / received
an autograph letter from the emperor of
the French. 1t was marked private and
CONFIDENTIAL 1t began with expressions of
personal regard for myself, and pain at the
spectacle OF the great republic in the throes
of dissolution. personally said Napo-
| leon, Il could wish the cause of the Union
to succeed. But the welfare of France and
the force of popular opinion are paramount
to individual sylnpathies. Our CONNER
| cial interests are seriously suffering from
| the prolongaton of your war. My subjects
| appeal to me to arrest the bloody conflict
I must obey the voice Of France at whatev-
er cost. You cannot put down the rebel
| lion embrace the earliest opportunity to
make terms with the South. If you fail to
do this, shall feel compelled, in the inter-
ests of my country-in the interests of
civlization-to intervene with all the pow
er at my command
"I answered:N :Napoleons insulting letter
Immediately. I did not waste words in
| quarrel. We propose to settle it 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 il
1t takes twenty years to do it. The war
has hardly commenced yet; the people are
just beginning to warm to the work. We
wish to be on good terms with our neigh
bors-we wish especially to be on good
terms with France, our ancient friend and
ally. But you must keep hands off. II
you presume to interfere, we will show
you what free people battling for national
existence are capable of. Hitherto we
have conducted the war humanely, in ac-
cordance with the codes that govern the
most Christian States. Interference or
your part will be the signal for war oi
conquest and destruction. We will free
the negroes; we will put arms in theil
hands, and send them forth to ravage anG
plumber We will make the South waste
and desolation. Raise a hand against us
and horrors worse than those of San Do
mingo will be seen from one end of thu
South TO the other
"The letter was sent by the first steamer
The same day I telegraphed to Thnrlov
Weed, Archbishop Hughes and Bishop
Simpson to meet me at the Astor Hous,
the morning following. That evening
left for New York, and explained to thes,
eminent gentlemen the objects of the con
ference, and the new danger that threaten
ed the Union cause. / told them that the,
must at once go to Europe, to labor un
officially with the government and ruling
classes in England and on the Continent
to represent the wickedness, danger and fol
ly of foreign interference. In less than
week they were on their journey reached
Europe at most opportune moment-( Ma
son and Slidell had just been Scheduling
land was in white heat of rage) and di,
much towards convincing Europe that tn
proper thing and the only thing to do wa
to leave us alone. And the mission cos
the Government less than seven thousan
dollars" San francisco bulletin, Jdnuar,
| IL.