Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-01-31
5Hiscellamp.
A Piece of History from the Lips
of Mr. Seward.

of MIR. Seward.
The San Francisco Bulletin print
notes from a dinner conversation OF Mr.
Seward in which he related the follow
ing episode in the history of our foreign
policy during the rebellion: 1t was,
said Mr.. Seward, ain the darkest days
of the rebellion. Disaster upon disaster
had befallen the Union Armies. Urea
SON was active and bold-fronted at Wash
ington,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 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
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 Napoleon, l could wish the cause
of the Union to succeed. But the well
fare of France and the force OF popular
opinion are paramount to individual
sympathies. Our commercial interests
are seriously suffering from the prolon-
CATION of your war. My subjects ap-
peal to me to arrest the bloody conflict.
l must obey the voice of France at
whatever cost. You cannot put down
the rebellion; embrace the earliest OPP
portunity to make terms with the South.
If you fail to do this. shall feel COM
PEELED in the interests of my country
in the interests of eivilization-to inter-
vene with all the power at my command.
1 answered Napoleon's insulting letter
Immediately. l did not waste words in
compliments. l said This is a family
quarrel. We propose to settle it in our
own way and in our own time. We do
not wish the assistance of outsiders we
will not brook interference. The Amer
ican Union is to be preserved. 1t shall
be preserved, if i. takes 20 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 in
terfere. we will show you what free
people battling for national 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 war of conquest and
destruction. Weshall free the negroes
we will put arms in their hands, and
send them forth to ravage and plumber.
We will make the South a waste and
desolation. Raise hand against us,
and horrors worse than those of San Do
mingo 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 ,Archbish-
op Huges and Bishop Simpson to meet
me at the Astor house the morning fol-
lowing. 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 I'M
officially with the government and rul-
ing classes in England and on the CONT
nent, to represent the wickedness, danger
and folly of foreign interference. In less
than week they were on their journey,
reached Europe at a most opportune
moment-( Mason and Slidell had just
been seized-England was in white
heat of rage), and did much toward con-
yincing Europe that the proper thing and
the only thing to do, was to leave us
alone. And the mission cost the gov
eminent less than seven thousand dol
ars."