Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-10-09
q HipEo.,sasiC secret.

! Few people know how deeply in
| debted the United States is to Russia
! FOR kindly services during the war
! It has often been vaguely whispered
! that Russian influence prevented the
armed intervention Of France, and per-
haps England, in behalf OF the South.
! We are enabled to lay before our read
ers Trustworthy information, never be-
fore published, IN support of the
truth of tnis rumOr. When Governor
Curtin, on the eve of his return to this
country, went, in his capacity as min
lister to Russia, to take formal leave OF
the emperor, the latter closed the con-
versation substantially in these words:
- wish, sir, that You would. upon
your return, express your hearty
thanks to the American people for the
reception they have given my son, the
Grard Duke Alexis" This, it will be
remembered, was shortly after Gen-
eral Grant had refused to return Alexis
call, and the letter had left Wash
inston i'll disgust. Govern Curtin
noticed the elncerOr's failure to send
thanks to the government as well as
the people He supposed, however.
that 1t was slip of the tongue until
the empress bade him farewell in al
most precisely the same words. Il
shall be happy, lie said, ''to carry
your maiesty's thanks to MY govern
ment and people" Il sent my
thanks, SIR the empress retorted,
''to the people-and only to the peo-
pie" Governor Curtin aftervard
complained cf the slight that had ths1s
been publicly put upon the govern
ment he Iopresnnted. He was invited
by Gortschakoff to conference on the
subject. Three books were brought
in from The archives of the foreign
Office. The first contained an auto
graph letter from Napolen III, asking
Russia to Join with England and
f'ranch IN breaking up the Federal
blockade and guaranteeing the
independence CT ths Confederacs.
The letter asserted that England
bad already promised her co-opera-
ton, which was probably lie. Tie
second book contained the Emperor's
reply. He fatty declined the alliance
proposed by Napoleon, and declared
that, in the event of any European in
reference Ill the war, Russia would
actively aid the North. The third
book had within 1t copies of the sealed
orders given to the Russian Admiral
who, as cur readers will remember,
brought his fleet into New York har-
Dor during the war. The order direct
ed him to proceed at once, with his
whole available farco. to New York
City; to remain at anchora 5e there for
some time; aud, ia tie event OF Eu-
ropean interference with the blockade,
to put his whole force at the
command Of the Cabinet at
Washington and TO promise abundant
aud speedy relnforcemerts. While
Governor Curtin stared mbfOundcd
at these unexpected proofs If Russia's
steadfast fidelity to the Union canse,
Gort>chakotf said to him 'Perhaps
you can Appreciate, sir. why the en-
peror and empress sent their thanks
to the people who have ::,,rored the
Grand Duke Alexis and not to the gov
ernnient that has insulted him. We
saved your country, and now your
President insults our representative.
It is too much." Curtin quite agreed
with hiIn ana tie interview ended.
We ia every reason to trust the gen.
tlcman froal VIII Dm we have received
this story. It Will probably be found
true substantially, although there
l.a4, of course, be errors il detail.