Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-04-12
Why the Russian Fleet was Sent Here
During the War,

Mr. II. @. Dane publishes the Relieving
in the Nav York Herald: IL :,
"Some years since there eame TO nv /.
knowledge the following story :, AT tho close
OF the mission of one of our Ambassadors to
tho Russian court aud as he was about 10
leave he called upon the Gear and GEsrarina
to pay his fnal respects, As heswas taking
his leave of Her Majesty she requested him
to bsar to the AHericsn people her warmest
regards and most sincere gratitude for the
attention and kindness extended to her son :
while he was q visitor among us The Am- ;
bsssador called Her Nsjesty's .atteption to j
the President OF the United States, whom
she had failed to mention. With an sxhibi-.
tlon ct some feeling, she replied with
earnestnsss, "To the American people, Mr..
--." Greatly surprised aud somewhat
annoyed the Ambassador waited upon Hi
Majesty, where he received similar mes. !,
sage. The attention of the Czar was called
to his neglect of the Prssid en- |. when he psyo
the saAe response. ITO the American peo,
pie, Mr.. -4@-o
Unable 10 account for this strange ezhi-s
bition of feelings, the representative of
America waited upon the astute Gnftsehakotf
from whom he requested an explanation Of
tho remarkable conduct of their Msjesties.
Ordering an attaehs to bring sumo vols
opened one, and handing it to our represen-
tativo, bade him read letter It was from
the Foreign Minister of France to Russin,
stating that France end England had ebtor-s
ed into alliance for the purpose Of recoenis..
ing the belligerent rights of the Southern
States and raisibg the blockade of our ports
and end the war BY the dissolution OF tho
States, and requesting the Cooperation OF
Russia. A second volume was handed tho,
Ambassador, in which he read similar Lett
ter from England. A third volume was pres
sentod, in which was the reply of Russia
dictated by tho Gar aud written by GortsS
ohakotf. ststiDg that since the United States
had been an Independent gsverpment It had
been the FIRM and friendly ally of Russis,
and the Gear saw NO reason why that rala.
tionship should be changed at that hour,and
most firmly declining to Join Franco aud
England in any of their schemes.
fourth volume, taken from the Feuret
archives. was. produced, and handed tho
surprised American. In that were two let
tore of instruction from the Admiralty Office
to Russia admirsls then in American waters.
The first letter instructed the admirals to
take their fleets to New York and San Frans
cisco, anchor them and remain until further
orders, aud also iustrueting than in case
England and Franco or any other foreign
p1eu 10 lptetere with the pri-
vato affairs OF America to break their sealed
orders ard obey thom.
The seeond letter-tho sealed srdsrs RI.
ferred to by Mr.. Wsed-instructed ebe Rns9
sian adnirals to Immediately tender their
fleets to the American government and tell
them Russia, With all her power, stood ready
behind them.
That was the story in substance, and bay-
ing used it many times in lecture on oThe
Great Naval Battles of the Rebellion" I" and
wishing to be sure / was warranted in so de-
ing by the facts. in 1876. think I wrote
to the ox>Ambassador stating the story fully
aud asking bim il it was true. In n premnt
reply he said he did not feel at liberty 10
tell what did transpire when he left 81. Pa
tersburg; that upon his return to his nstiea
land he had made full report Of the mat.
ter, which vas then in tho State Depart.
ment; and as the departnsnt had seen fit
to keep the matter ont Of sight he did not
feel that be had any right TO say apythipr.
As be in no manner denied the story con.
c'uded that in the main il was true' and 80
thought gentlemen to whom showed both
letters. The son of that Car, when in our
capital city, was snnbbed by our President.
That report from the retiring Minister a
BOW in our State Department., and under ths
sombrs light of this hour it might Be very
interesting resding for all the world. Gan
We not have it z"
tEIgin tll.) Daily Loader.I
The subjoined opinion. we perceive. is bv
J. A, Daniels, Esq, of Messrs. stogdilf (
Daniels, attornsys La CroSsa WI. sd -.