Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-04-10
From the San Francisco Bulletin, January IL.
SEWARD AND NAPO-
LEON.


An Un,critten Chapter of thd Rebellion
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 Empeior of the French
was an active and earnest sympathizer with the
South; that more than once he seriously medi-
tated material Intervention In its behalf;
that the invasion of Mexico and the en-
thronement of Macmillan in The seat of the
Montezumas was part Of a deliberate plot to
break up the American Union. But to what
lengths he proceeded-how resolutely deter
mined he was to carry his fell design into exc
cution-has never been fully known outside of
narrow official circle. The story of his pur-
pose is short but suggestive, and was told by
Mr.. Seward TO few personal friends at a din
ner party, among whom was the writer of this
| article. No one who was present will ever for
/ get the intense earnestness and animation of
/ the great statesman as he related the moment
Gus incident. The exact words, SO pregnant
with eloquent meaning; so solemn and impas-
| soned-we cannot in every instance reproduce,
but the general import is given below:
at was said Mr.. Seward, Sin the darkest
days of the Rebellion. Treason was active and
bold-fronted at Washington, in the north and
| in the West Rebel emssaries and their allies
| were plotting against us over the Canadian bor-
der. Our foreign relations were most critical.
Rebel cruisers were being fitted out in British
ports, and sent to sprey upon our commerce
| Germany was coldly neutral the smaller Eu-
ropean States were Indifferent spectators of the
conflict; Russia was the only friend we had
among the powers of the earth.
| In this desperate emergency | received an
autograph letter from the emperor Of the
French. 1t was marked private and coniiden.
tial.' 1t began with expressions of regard fol
myself, and the pain of the great Republic ii
the throes of dissolution. Personally sait
, Napoleon, Il could wish the cause Of the Unioi
to succeed. But the welfare pf France and tn,
, f rec of popular opinion are paramount to in
dividual sympathies. Our commercial interest
are seriously suffering from the prolongation u
your war. My subjects appeal to me To anes
the bloody conflict. must obey the voice q
| France, at whatever cost. You cannot pu
. down the rebellion; embrace the earliest oppol
| tunity to make terms with the South. If 20
. | fail to do this, shall feel compelled, in IL
= | interests of my colntry-ln the interests
e civilization-to intervene with all the power
" my command
= 1 answered Napoleons insulting letter imm,
diately. l did not waste words in compliment
!, !, | said, This is a family quarrel. We propo
- - to settle it in our own way, aid in our ow
u time. We do not wish the assistance of GU
70 sders; we will not brook interference. II
y American Union must be preserved. 1t s,a
= oe preserved if ii takes twenty years to do
The war is hardly commenced yet. The pc
| PIE are ltlsJ DcpiuHillS W WWul 10 tne WORK.
| We wish to be on good terms with our neig
- bors-we wish especially II be on good tern
20 with France, our ancient friend and ally. b
you must keep hands off. If you presume
~ interfere, we will show You what 4 free Poop
battling for national existence are capable Of.
q Hitherto we have conducted our war humane
~ in accordance to the codes that govern the Inc
II Christian States. Interference on your p;
u will be the signal for a war of conquest and
ii struction. We will free the negroes. We "
Ut put arms in their hands, and send them fol
/, 10 ravage and plumber We will make /
II South waste and 4 desc alton. Raise ha
i, against us, and horrors worse than those Of S
IL, Domingo will be seen from one end of I
o' South to the o.her.'
IS The letter was sent by the first steamer. IL
M same day telegraphed I'd Thurlow Weed AR,
W bishop Hughes AMI Bishop Simpson to meet
OF, at the Astor House the morning following
III That evening left for New York, and expla
", ed to these gentlemen THO objects OF the cont
II" ence, and the new danger that threatened
10 Union cause. told them that they must 90
Gu Europe, to labor unoflicialiy with the govel
~ ment and with the ruling classes in Engla
u and on the continent, TO represent the wick
e9 danger and folly of foreign interference.
lh less than week they were OH their jOurnt
reached Europe at a most opportune moment
m MASON ank Sldell had just been seized-EI
De land was in white heat of rage,) and {
~ much towards convincing Europe that the p
NJ per thing and the only thing 10 do was to lea
eh us alone. And the mission cost tile Cover