The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-02-20
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
carrying through the press. 1t is re,
produced by the New York Tribune
from the advance sheets of that volume:
New YORK. August IL, 1860.
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 person.
al and confidential interview with you.
My apology for this breach of conven-
tional usage in presuming to address you
without the formality of an introduction may
be pardoned in consequence of the very eX.
traordinary nature of the business which in,
duced me to approach you without the friend,
ly Intervention of a third party. Indeed, it
would not only have been unwiSe, but actual
ly dangerous, for me to have even borne q
letter of Introduction.
Having assumed the whole responsibility
of this very critical step, L can not use too
much caution and circumspection to insure
my personal safety and the successful accom-
plishment of the mission ] have in view.
Therefore prefer trusting my own Judgment
in approaching genteel stranger on such
business to that of bringing into my service
the scrawls of Governors or members of Con-
gress, with whom, perhaps, you are as little
acquainted as myself
The official confidence which your Govern,
ment seems to repose in you, by intrustng to
your charge its great commercial affairs in
the most important city on this continent, J.
think Is sufficient to warrant me in trusting to
your discretion patriotism and loyalty q se-
cret 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 par
allel in the past history of the country seems
to have split the great Democratic party into
many cOntending factions all of which are so
hungry after the public Spois that its disn-
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 total destruction of all plantation inter-
| ests, which the South, as sure as there is q
| God in Heaven, will not submit to- Sooner
than yield to the arbitrary dictates of traitor
GUS allies and false friends, who have proven
| recreant to the solemn obligations of our old
| Constitution, we will either secede from the
Union and form 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 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 no
public demonstration of their intentions, for
such a course would be attended with direful
consequences at this time, but the pear tUal be
| ftllU ripe before November.
Gossiping newsmongers and babblng 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 strongeaccession to our
| forces.
1 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-opera.
ton in aid of accomplishing this grand object
of returning to the dominion of our fathers
Kingdom Through your kindness and loyalty
to your Queen, am desirous of properly ap
preaching her Majesty's Minister at Washing.
| ton city, with 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 Britons heart
| forhaving aided in the return of the National
prodigals
Reposing that confidence in you which your
position in life warrants me in doing, you
must at present excuse me for not signing my
name for fear of an accident This much you
may know: | am Southron and member
of Congress, whose untiring perseverance will
never cease until the object | have thus bold
ly undertaken is fully accomplished. BE SC
| kind as to answer this as early as possible
Allow me personal interview, and, if you car
not come to New York, address your answer
to " Benjamin" in care of some one at yom
| Office