Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-04-03

From the v. y. San.
Sir: | have just read the interesting letiss
of Judge Lyons, Of Richmond. 10 Col. Ma
eruder, Of Baltimore, relative to the mission
, of Count Mercer, French Miaister at Wash
inslou, to Richmond in the summer Of 1862
with view of bringing about peace between
the Northern and Southern States.
Shortly alter the war had the pleasure OF
meeting Judge Lyons at the Greenbrier White
Sulphur Springs and hearing him relate, Ia
the preseuce of Gen. Lee, Governor Wise,
Messrs Peabody. Ccrcorau, and other gentle
men Of uute, the facts as stated ia his letter.
But it seemed 10 be the general opinion then
that the Southern States would not have been
willing 10 adopt any plan OF gradual emsnci-
nation of their slaves under coercion. The
/ contest then engaged upon was one VI enaI-
/ cipaii1n from Northern interference in our
constitutional rights, one OF which was that u
slavery. II was thought during the war thaf
1 Il We yielded 10 that demand we nigh. soon
/ be compelled 10 yield 10 others still. more vital
to Southern prosperity. With the SD expe-
reuce of the past aud Of tho present, We SEQ
that we should havd stood by the Critleuden
resolutions and fought "for the Constitution Ia
the Union" With Democratic senate aud
Democratic majority Of the people ia cur
favor, we could, thiuk, have opposed tuc-
cessfuIly any destructive measures proposed.
/ But that is of the past. We must now lOOk
( t. the dangers OF the present aud Of the future.
4 few years hence we vii. be able TO indicate
with certainty what the present Democratic
majority in Congress and IN the country should
/ have doue 10 countcract the centra!lzl0g ten
( 1cncies Of the Radicals, where, as at present..
our wises. Statesmen are much at a loss hat
measures 10 adopt TO check in their mad calees
those designing politicians who seem deer
mined ~ bring on another desperate struggle
between the conservative end radical clcueuts
Of the country.
A few days after tie battle u Manassaa
Prince Napoleon aud suite. accompanied by
Covst Mcrcer, came in carriages from Wash
ipetun 10 visit the battlefield Gen. Johnston
aud went with them TO explain the positions
and movements OF the contendiug forces,
which seemed To interest them much especial
i Is the Prioce, who had some preicusions 10
military knowledge, no, at all justified, how
ever, by bis services in the Italian campaign
of 1853. When the party was about 10 de-
part, on its return 10 Washington, Count
/ Mercier. whom had known before the war.
hours drive to communicate privately with
me, took me 10 one side oi the Warrcuton
/ Turnpihe. on which We were then, and was
about to commence speaking. when the Prince
! joined us aud put stop whether deslgncdly
1 or not cannot say TO the interchange oi Scu-
timeut which was about 70 take place.
/ have always regretted that inopportune inter-
ruption, for am convinced that the Count
+ had important information 10 impart which
might have baa some influence on subsequent
events.
When O, Charleston, in I5C2-C9, lid oe-
casion 10 meet several times French officers
who were allowed by me 70 enter tho barbof
TO confer with their consul. The captain of
the sloop-of- war was highly educated gcU-
/ tenian, who had travelled great dea aud
seemed 10 enipy the conGdepce Of bis govern
ment.
90 one Of those occasions he told ne Of lhC
sympathy Of bis government in our favor, bGt
also of the opposition Of tie French people -
our recognition owing TO our institution of
slavery He said that he was not authorized
10 speak officially, but that be considered
himself at liberty TO say that II We were ~
proclaim gradual emancipation, 10 take place
during any reasonable period be felt con-
flent that the French Government would
recognize our Independence, and would 10 all
10 ito power. consistently with its International
obligations, to secure the same recognition
fIom other foreign governments. ] thanked
him for his information, but told him that
did not think, under existing circumstance.
aud knowing the temper Of our people, that
such proposition would be cntertailed.-
] 81. ttff
! Pickeus and other influential gentlemen Of tho
/ State Of South Carolina, who gave me, how
ever, ~ Encouragement, and did not refer
+ the matter 20 the Confederate Government o,
l.chrioud.
While in Paris, 10 1866, one year after ols
war, hal the honor Of paying my respects 10
,he Emperor Napoleon, who granted me
private audience. lie received me very Kind
T iy. welcomed ne to France, and expressed hope
that, should determine to leave tie Uuited
States permanently. would take up my
residence ia tie i8Ld Of my ancestors. Ts
asked me many questions relative TO TIC STRAIT
+ egy and tactics of our principal battles, with
which he appeared 10 te very iamlliaf, aud 10
seemed 10 10 very sDxiOus tO ascertain corr
recily the state Of public opinion 10 tie UDitea
States relative u the struggle then going Oh
10 Mexiro for the dethronemeDt Of MaximIliaT
He confirmed the views expressed 10 no by
that naval oficer at Charleston, relative ~ tbs
course that we should have adopted 70 insure
success but witn nations, as with Individuals
the passions. when excited. oyerclOud tho
Judgment. Those whom tic gods would
destroy they frs, make mad.
Before concluding this letter. allow me 10
recall little incident which occurred at Cen
treyille, Va, during the visit o. Pnnce Nspo-
leon az Manassas.
Gen. Longs,reet's brigade. one u tue best
then 10 the Army Of the Potomac, Was station
cd at the former town, aud happened 70 be
drilling near the Fairfax turnpike as The Prince
and party were passing. Maj L. g. skinner.
one Of the field officers Of the Firsl Virginia
Regiment, who had been educated 10 France
uLder the auspices u Gen. lafayette, great
friend VI lis father, came 10 the carriage oi
the Prince 20 pay bis respects 70 bin and ii.
suite. Msj. Skinner was also well acquainted
with Count Mercier, who introduced him ~
the party. just at that moment bis regiment
had arrived close to the road in performing
some mapGuyre aud presented It's back to the
carriages Ii vas one VI the Oldest regiments
10 the service. and lis clothes we're rather the
worse FOR wear, especially about certain por-
ton Of the body. Msor Skinner, rather
disconnected at first by the appearance Of bis
gallant soldiers, soon rallied from biz unpeas-
ant emotion, and, with French Wit. remarked
TO the Prince aud party: 80 nessieurs, sous
voyez Ia Ia psriie &c nos soldats que leDDen'i
"a pas encore yue ct Jespere DC vera jlmais =
. a : L. IL 0t. ~