The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-28
SEWARD AND NAPOLEON.
An unwrItten Chapter OF the Confeder-
ate War.


ate War.
from the San Francisco Bulletin, January Ill
The death OF the eX.Emperor Napoleon re-
calls an Incident of the great Southern rebel
lion which has not hitherto been made public.
It is we'll known that the late Emperor OF the
French was an active and earnest sympathlzer
with the South; that more than once he se-
rIously medltated material Intervention In its
behalf: that the Invasion of Mexico and the
enhancement of Macmillan In the seat OF
the MonteZumas was part OF deliberate
plot 10 break up the American Union. But 10
what lengths he proceeded-how resolutely
determined he was to carry his iell design Into
execulon-has never been fully known out
side of q narrow official circle. The story OF
bis 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
will ever forget the Intense earnestness and
animation Of the great statesman as he re-
lated the momentous incident. The exact
words, 80 pregnant with eloquent meaning
30 solemn and impasSioned-we cannot IN
every Instance reproduce, but the general
Import Is given below
lit waa," said Mr., Seward. "in the darkest
days of the rebellion. Disaster upon disaster
had befallen the Union armies. Treason was
the North, and 10 the West. Rebel emssa-
rles and their allies were plotting against us
over the Canadian border. Our foreign rela-
lions were most critical. Rebel cruisers were
being fitted cut In British ports and sent to
prev upon onr commences; Germany was
coldly neutral; the SIN .ller European States
were Indifferent spectators OF the conflict.
Russia was the only friend we nad among tne
powers OF the earth.
'In this desperate emergency received an
autograph letter from the Emperor OF the
French. It. was marked private and conf
denlial 1t began with expressions OF perso.
nal regard for myself, and pain at the specta.
Gle OF the great republic la the throes Of
dissolution. Personally said Napoleon, Il
could wish the cause OF the Union 10 succeed.
But the welfare of France and the force OF
popular opinion are paramount to individual
sympalhies Our commercial Interests are
seriously suffering from the prolongalion OF
your war. My subjects appeal TO me to arrest
The bloody conflict. must obey the voice oil
France at whatever cost. You cannot put
down the rebellion; embrace The earliest op-
portunity to make terms with the South. II
YOU fall 10 do this, 1 shall feel compelled, 10
the interests of my counlry-in the inlel esls
OF cvilization-to intervene With all The power
at my command
81 answered Napoeons insulting letter i'm
medIaieiy. said: This Is family quarrel.
We propose TO settle lt 10 our own Way ana 10
our own time We do not wish the assistance
of outsiders: we will not brook interference.
The american Union is 10 be preserved. IL
shall be preserved If /. takes twenty years TO
do IL. The war is hardly commenced yet; the
ueopIe are lust beginning 10 warm 10 the
work, We wish to be on good terms Win
our neighbors-we wish especially TO oe on
good terms with France, our ancient friend
aud ally. But you must Reep hanos on. II
into Sh0W
what a free people battling for national exist
euce are capable Of. Hitherto We have con-
Quoted the war humanely, In accordance with
The codes that govern the most Christian
States Interference on your part Will oe tne
signal for war Of conquest and destruction.
We will free the negroes; we Will put arms 10
their hands. and send them forth to ravage
and plunder. We will make the South waste
and q dpsolation. Raise 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 frat steamer.
The same day Lelegraphed 10 ThurloW weed,
Archbishop Hughes ana blshop simpson, 10
meet me at the Astor the morning following.
That evening left for New York, aud ex-
blamed TO these eminent gentlemen the objects
of the conference and the new danger that
threatened the Union cause. told them that
thew must al once 60 to Europe 10 laoor tn-
officially with the governments aud ruling
classes in England and on the Continent, 10
rpnresent the wickedness, danger, and folly of
foreign interference 10 less than o week
thew were ON their Journey, reached Europe
at most opportune moment-tMason and
Siidell 81 had lust been seized-Eugland was in
white heat of ragp) and did much toward
convincing Europe that the proper and the Only
Ihinu 10 do was TO leave us alone. And the
mission cost the government less than seven
Thousand dollars"