Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-30
WAS THIS JUDAH p. BENJAMIN.
An Alleged Letter from Him Offering to
Make over the Southern States to
Great Britain.

Make over the Southern States to
Great Britain.
The following letter from Judah 2. Ben
jamin, then United States Senator from
Louisiana, to the British Consul in New
York, was left among Thurlow Weeds
papers, and is, says the New York IFib-
lGge, given in the volume Of memoirs of
his grandfather, which Thurlow Weed
Barnes is now carrying through the press.
1t is reproduced here from the advance
sheets Of that volume:
NEW ! ORK, Aug. II. 1850.
DEAR SIR: ] exceedingly regret your alb
sence from New York at this time, as the i'm
pOrtant object OF my visit Is to have a per-
-Onal and confidential interview with you.
My apology for this breach Of conventional
usage, in presuming to address you without
the f0rmallty Of an introduction. may be par
dOned in consequence of the very eXtraOrdi-
nary nature Of the business which induced
me TO approach you without the friendly in
tervention of third party. Indeed, il would
not only have been unWise, but actually dan
gerous for ME to have even borne letter Of
introduction.
Having assumed the whole responsibility of
tins very critical step, / cannot use too much
caution and clrcumspectiOn To insure my per-
sOnal safety and the successful accomplish
ment Of the mission have i'm view. There
fore / prefer trusting my own judgment in ap-
preaching gentecl stranger on such business
TO That Of bringing into my service the scrawls
I
whom, perhaps, YOU are as little acquainted
as myself
The official confidence which your govern
ment seems to repOse in you, by ntrustng to
your charge Its great commercial affairs in
the most important city on this continent, |
think is sufficient to warrant me in trusting
10 your discret tlcn, patriotism and loyalty, a
secret OF the greatest importance and interest
to her Britannia Maiesty's kingdom.
The present disastrous condition of political
affairs in the United states (which has no
parallel in the past history of the country
seems to have split the great Democratic
party into many cOntending factions, all of
which are 50 hungry after the public spoils
/ that its disintegrated parts render them an
easy prey 10 the opposing Black Republicans.
The doctrines maintained by the Republican
party are so unsuitable to the great interests
Of the whole south that an election Of their
candidate (Which is almost certain) amounts
To total destruction of all plantation inter
ests, which the South, as sure as there is a God
In heaven. viii not submit to. Sooner than
yield to the arbitrary dictates of traitOrOus
allies and false friends who have proven re-
creaut to the solemn obligations of our old
Constitution. we viii either scCedc from the
Union and form a separate government, or
upon certain conditions. at once return to
our allegiance to Great Britain, our mother
country.
MANY, very many. of the most wealthy and
influential planters throughout the South
have already discussed this alternative IN the
event ot the election of Mr.. Lincoln. and the
popularity of the proposition seems to pass
pidiJV. II Is true they have made no public
demonstration Of their intentions, for such
course would be attended with dIreful conse-
qUences st this time, but the pear will he
fully ripe before November.
Gosslplng newsmOngers and babbling pot
house politicians are not allowed TO know
what Is going on in their very midst.
select dinner parties come on every day
throughout the whole South and not one Of
them ends without a strong accession to our
forces.
have even heard some of them address
each other by titles already.
My object ia approaching yOu SIS TO cultivate
your friendship, and TO procure your CO-Ope-
ration IN ald of accomplishing this grand OBJ
{ Jet of returning to the dominion of our
and loyalty TO your Queen, ] am deSrOus of
( properly approaching Her Majesty's Minister
! at " Washington city. with view to the ac-
( compllshment of this great end. if you will
cOndcScend TO grant me the necessary assist
auce Tor this purpose you viii soon receive
the merItorIOus reward of your most gracious
/ Queen, and the hearty cheer from every true
Briton's heart for having aided IN the return
| of the national prodigals.
I RepOslug that confidence in yOu which YOUR
/ position IN life warrants me in doing. YOU
I must at present excuse me Tor not signing my
/ name for fear of an accident This much YOU
/ may know: / am SOuthroD, and am q mem
/ Der Of Congress. whose untiring Dersever-
thus boldly undertaken is fully ACCOMPLISHED
I BE SO kind as TO answer tins rs early as pos
/ sibe. Allow me personal interview, and
/ II YOU cannot come to New OTk. address your
! answer to 'tBcnjamin," in care of some one
I al YOUR Office.