New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-15
THE MINISTER 10 BELGIUM.
THURLow WEEDS OPINION OF MR.. sANFOR,


THURIOW WEEDS OPINION OF MR.. SANFORD
AN ACQUAINTANCE OF A QUARTER OF A CENTURY
MR.. sANFORDs CAPACITY AND INTEGmH-
Personal REMINICENCEs or HIS CAREER
ABROAD
Speaking of recent diplomatic appointments, yes
tcrday, Mr.. Thurlow Weed warmly commended the
selection of Mr. Sanford for the post of Minister to
Belgium. 81 have known him for twenty-five
years." Mr.. Weed said. He has the highest sense
of personal and official integrity and his education
and experience make him remarkably well Quailhed
for the diplomatic service"
At the request of his visitor the veteran Journalist
gave an account Of his first acquaintance with Mr.
Sanford and of the latters efforts IN behalf OF his
country during the rebellion. while he held the
same place to which lie has just been reappointed.
MIR. Weed first met Mr.. Sanford in Paris. III ls12,
Just after Louis NapoleOn's coup d6tat. The Ameu-
can Minister. Mr.. Rves, refused to recognize the
view master of the Tuileres, and American residents
and visitors would have been put to much annoy
ance by the absence OF any official relations between
their representative and the French Government,
had not Mr. Sanford, who Secretary OF
Legation, possessed the tact to remove the dhcuIty
by making his personal acquaintance with the lead
ing men of the Empire serve, instead OF diplo-
matte formalities in providing for his cOuntrymen
the privileges they desired.
Il have known Mr.. Sanford well, may say very
well, ever SINCE" continued Mr.. Weed. "While l
was abroad during the rebellion" lit will be re-
membered that Nh Weed was the confidential di-
plomatic agent of the United States Government IN
Europe for some time after the breaking out OF the
warl had occasion to know the value OF his
services Nh Sanford was in Paris on his way to
Brussels before our new Minister, MIR. Dayton, ar
rived and his exertIons in behalf of the Union
cause at a critical moment, when the french Gov
eminent and people were hostile to u.s.
were OF great value. Everything needed to
be done abroad at that time. We wanted
arms clothing, and all kinds OF military supplies.
Mr. Sanford was exceedingly Jealous to serve the
Government and often anticipated his instructions
IN his desire to be useful While at Brussels he ire
qucntly crossed the path of persons who were act
i'm, rs agents for the United States in making pur-
chases, and who were eager chiefly to make money
for themselves His Interference with their projects
provoked Their hostility. With another class oil
agents, whose sole motive was to serve their coun-
try. Nh Sanford cordially co0perated As an ex-
ample of the latter class might mention Mr.. Schuy-
Ter of this city, vino sent abroad to buy arms,
and who. as "a thoroughly honest man, appre-
clated Mr.. SanfOrds eXerl0ns and worked III
accord with him. Mr. Sanfords great activity
resulting from his temperament and his enthusiasm
for the Union cause, sometimes mistaken Tor
righteousness II offended Mr.. Adams, and to some
extent annoyed MIR. Dayton. 1t is not true how
ever that Mr.. Dayton was angry with MI sanford.
was m Paris after the Trent affair was terminated
and the danger of war with England averted. Men
tioning to Mr.. Dayton that meant to make trip
in Belgium and Holland with my daughter, he SAID
he would take a holiday and 20 with me- We set oil
together, and when we had reached Brussels We all
IL .,r.ll nj ~ .UF
able DAYS there. OF course, Mr. Dayton would not
have accepted Mr.. Sdnford's hospitality II he had
not been upon good terms with him."
After some further conversation about Mr.. San
fords energy and zeal Mir Weed related an incident
which occurred III London during his stay Ia that
CITY i'm an official capacity. At the time when the
danger Of "a rupture with the British Government
was imminent. Mr. Weed desired TO undertake an
affair which promised great results, but which re-
ouired a considerable sum of money. lie
explained the project to Mr.. Peabody, who
saw its importance, but had no faIth IN the
possibility of ITS accomplishment. sure that
il would fail the great banker declined 20 furnish
the needed funds Mr. Weed telegruphcd to Sir.
Sanford. who came 20 London Immediately BE-
fore hearing the matter half explained, Mr.. Sanford
lett Mr. Weeds apartments, fastened to BaGinG7'
and in q short time returned with the money. The
nature was il that il must remain secret even alier
Ills Lapse Of time. If the people knew how i'm
portant was the work which Mr.. sanford enabled us
10 accomplish sad Mr.. Weed, they WGu.G 4teI
that they owed him a great deal al gratitude.
About Nh Sanfords dinners, Mr. Weed remarked:
lie gives good many. Ii is the habit Of his liie
wherever he is. Last Winter he happened to be in
Washington, and he entertained with his usual lib
crafty there just as he docs in Newport or IN Paris
Hospitality j. q part Of hIs nature, and Is certainly
- (. v,.ri1. no .ln mi ltp
At the conclusion Of the conversation, MIR. Weed
said he was surprised to see so many enemies rise up
against man who had done no wrong 10 anybody
He considered Mr.. Sanford's appointment one Of the
most malicious the Administration had made, and
be hoped the Senate would speedily confirm It.