The Red Cloud chief., 1884-02-15
A Bit Of Secret History.

The following letter from Judah P.
Benjamin, then United States Senator
from Louisiana, to the British Consul in
New York, was left among ThurlOw
Weeds papers, and is given in the vol
ume of memoirs of his grandfather
which ThurlOw Weed Barnes is now
produced by the New York Tribune
from the advance sheets of that volume:
NEW YORK. August Ii. 1890.
DEAR SIR: / exceedingly regret your alb
sence from New York ut this time. as the i'm
portant object of my visit is to have n person.
al and confidential interview with you.
My apology for this breach of conven-
tiOnal usage in presuming TO address you
without the fOrma!ity of an introduction may
De pardoned in consequence of the very ex-
duced me to approach you without the friend
ly intervention OF a third party. Indeed, it
would not only have been unwise. but actual
" dangerous, for me to have even borne a
letter of introduction.
Having assumed the whole responsibility
of this very critical step. l can not use too
much caution and circumspcctiOn to insure
my personal safety and the successful accom-
p%lishment of the mission l have i'm view.
Therefore i prefer trusting my own judgment
in approaching a genteel stranger on such
business to that of bringing into my service
the scrawis OF Governors or members of Con-
gresS. with whom. perhaps, you arc as little
acquainted as myself.
The official confidence which your Govern
ment seems TO repOse in you, by intrusting to
your charge its great commercial affairs in
the most important city on this continent, I
think is sufficient to warrant NE in trusting to
your discretion, patriotism and loyalty a Sc
cret of the greatest importance and interest
to her Britannia MajeSty's Kingdom.
The present disastrous condition OF political
affairs in the United States (which has nc par
allel in the past history of the country seems
TO have split the great Democratic party into
MANY copfpuuiDU fncfipus all of which are Sn
hungry after the public spoils that its disin-
tegrated parts render them an easy prey to 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 a total destruction of al plantation inter-
ests, which the South, as sure as there is a
God in Heaven. will not submit to. Sooner
Than yield to the arbitrary dictates Of traitor
Gus allies and false friends. who have proven
recrcant to the solemn obiigati ms of our old
Constitution. we will either Secede from the
Union and form a separate Government, OF,
upon certain conditions, at once return tc
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 of the election of Mr.. Lincoln. and the
popularity of the proposition seems to pass
from one to another almost with an elastic
rapidity. 1t is true they have made TO
public demonstration of their intentions. for
Sucn u course wOuiQ De attended with dlrefui
consequences a. this time, bat the par Til be
fuiiy ripe befOrs N0rembcr.
GoSSiping newSmOngcrS and babbling pot
house politicians are not allowed to know
what is going on in their very midst.
Select dinner-partieS come Off 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 in approaching you is to cultivate
your friendship and procure your co-Oper;i-
ton i'm aid of accomplishing this grand object
nf returning to the dominion of our fathers
Kingdom. Through your kindness and LOYALTY
to your Queen, / am DESTROYS of properly ap-
preaching her MaicSty's Minister at Washing
ton city. with a view TO the accomplishment
of this great end. If you will condescend to
grant me the necessary assistance for this
purpose. YOU will 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.
Reposing that confidence in you which your
position in life warrants me i'm doing. you
must at present excuse me for not signing my
name for fear OF an accident. This much you
may kn"w: I I'm a SouthrOn and a member
of Congress, whose untiriug perseverance will
never cease until the object I have thus hold
~ undertaken is fully accomplished. Be so
kind as TO answer this "a early as possible.
Allow ME n personal interview. and. if you can
not come to New York. address your answer
to Benjamin" in care of some one at your
office,