The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-02-07
SEWARD AND NAPOLEON.
An Unwritten Chapter OF the Rebeiiion.

SLN AID AMI Nal
An Unwritten Chapter of the Rebellion.
Prom the San Francisco Buletin.l
The death of the ex-Emperor Napo-
leon recalls an incident of the great
Southern rebellion, which has not hith-
erto been made public. Ii is well known
that the late Emperor of the French was
AN active and earnest sympathlzer with
the South that more than once he Sc
nously meditated moral Intervention III
Its behalf that the invasion of Mexico
and the enhancement of Macmillan III
the seat of the Montezumas was part
of deliberate plot TO break up the
American Union. But 10 what length
he proceeded how resoluteiy determined
he was to carry his fell design into exc
tion-has been fully known outside OF
narrow official circle. The story of his
purpose is short but suggestive, and was
told by Mr.. Seward To few personal
friends at dinner party, among whom
was the writer of this article. No one
who was present VIII ever forget the m
tense earnestness and animation of the
great statesman as he related the mo-
mentous incident. The exact words, SO
pregnant with eloquent meaniilG-so sol
emn and representative cannot IN
every instance reproduce, but the general
import is given below
:" 1t was" said Mr. Seward, in the
darkest days of the rebellion. Disaster
upon disaster had befallCn the Union
armies. Treason was active and bold
fronted at Washington, i'll the North and
III the West. 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 III British ports and sent
to prey upon our commerce Germany
was coldlyneutral the smaller European
States were indifferent spectators OF the
conflict Russia was the only friend We
had among the powers of the earth.
I" In this desperate emergency | re-
ceived an autograph letter from the I'm
peror 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 dissolu-
ton. Personally, 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 individual sympathies. Our
commercial interests are seriously suffer
ing from the prolonGation of your war.
Ny subjects appeal to me 70 arrest the
bloody conflict must obey the voice
OF France at whatever cost You can
not put down the rebellion embrace the
earliest opportunity IL make terms with
the South. Ii you fail to DO this, ! shall
feel compelled, in the interests of my
country,-in the interests of civilization,
to intervene with all the power at my
command.
- l answered Napoleon's insulting let
ter Immediately. 1 did not waste words
III compliments. | said a: This is
family quarrel. We propose to settle it
III our own way and in our own time.
We do not wish the assistance of out
siders 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 com
menced yet: the people are just begin
ming to warm to the work. We wish to
be on good terms with our neighbour
We wish especially 70 be on good terms
with France, our ancient friend and ally.
But you must keep hands off. II you
presume to interfere, we VIII show You
what free people battling for IA nationa!
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 willfrc
the negroes We will put arms in their
hands, and send them forth to ravage
and plumber. We will make the South
waste and desolation. Raise hand
against MS 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 | telegraphed
to Thurlow Weed, Archbishop Hughes
and Bishop Simpson to meet me at the
Aston House the morning following
That evening / left for New York, and
explained to these eminent gentlemen
the objects of the conference and the
new danger that threatened the Union
cause. ] told them that they must at
once go TO Europe, to labor unohiciaily
with the Government and ruling classes
in England and on the continent, to rep
resent the wickedness, danger and folly
of foreign interference. In less than e
week they were on theirjourney, reaching
Europe at most opportunc moment
MASON and Slidell had just been seized
England was in n white heat OF ragcD
and did much towards convincing
Europe that the proper thing and the
only thing TO do was to leave us alone
And the mission cost the Government
less than $1,000"