The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-02-06
An Unwritten Chapter of the Rebellion.

An Unwritten Chapter OF tile Rebellion.
The death of the ex-Emperor Napoleon re-
calls an incident of the great Southern REBELLION
which has not hitherto been made public. 1t
is we'll known that the late Emperor of the
French was an active and earnest sympathizer
with the South; that more than once he seri-
ously meditated material Intervention in its be-
half; that the invasion of Mexico and the en-
thronement of Maximilan in the seat of the
Montezumas was part of the 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-
MIR. Seward to a few personal friends at din
ner party, among whom was the writer of this
article No one who was present will ever for
get the intense earnestness aud animation OF
the great Statesman as he related the moment
Gus incident. The exact words, so pregnant
with eloquent meaning--so solemn and impas-
sioned-we cannot, in every instance repro
duce but the general import is given below:
"It was" said Mr.. Seward, Gin the darkest
days of the rebellion. Disaster upon disaster
had befallen the Union armies. Treason was
active and bold-fronted at Washington, in the
North and In 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 in British ports and sent to prey upon our
commerce; Germany was coldly neutral; the
smaller European States were Indifferent spec
tators 'of' the conflict; Russia was the only
friend we had among the powers of the earth.
"In this desperate emergency 1 received an
autograph letter from, the Emperor of the
French. It was marked private and confden-
tial.' 1t began with expressions of personal
regard for myself, and pain at the spectacle OF
the great republic in the thro.s of dissolution.
Personally said Napoleon, I could wish the
cause of the Union to succeed. Bat the well
fare of France and the force of popular opinion
are paramount to individual sympathies. Our
commercial interests are seriously suffering
from the prolongation of your war. My sub
iects appeal to me to arrest the bloody conflict.
I must obey the voice of France at whatever
cost. You cannot put down the rebellion (;
embrace the earliest opportunity to make terms
with the South. If you fail 10 do this, l shall
feel compelled in the interests of my country
in the interests of civilization-to intervene
with all the power at my command
II answered Napoleon's insulting letter i'm
mediately. 1 said: This is family quarrel.
We propose to settle it in our own way and our
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 yet; the people
are Just beginning 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 inter-
fere, we will show you what free people, bat
tlpg for national existence, are capable OF.
Hitherto we have conducted the war humane
ly, in accordance with the codes that govern
the most Christian States. Interference on
your part will be the signal for war of con-
quest and destruction. We will free the ne
groes; we will put arms in their hands, and
send them forth to ravage and plundeT. We
will make the South waste and desolation.
Raise a 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 telegraphed to Thurlow Weed,
Archbishop Hughes and Bishop Simpson to
meet, me at the Astor House the morning fol-
loving. That evening left for New York,
and explained to these 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 unofh-
ciaily withethegovernments and ruling classes
in England and ons the continent, to represent
the wickednesa, danger and folly Of foreign in
reference. In nless than week they were on
their journey, reached Europe at a most op-
perfume moment-( Mason and Slidell had just
been seized England was in white heat of
rage)-and did much towards convincing Eu-
rope that the proper and the only thing to do
was 10 leave us Alone And the mission cost
the government less than seven thousand dol
lars.a-San Francisco Bulletin. d