The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-29
PIECES OF SECRET HISTORY
A Proposal that the South Resume Al
legiance to Great Britain.
The misunderstanding Between Cameron,
Weed and Seward That Caused the
Nomination Of Lincoln.
AN AMAZING LETTER.
Beniamin's Proposal that the South Resume
Allegiance to England.


Allegiance to England
New York Tribune
THE following letter from Judah P. Ben
iamin, then United States Senator from Louis
lana, to the British consul in New York, was
left among Thurlow Weeds papers, and is 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 YORK, Aug. II, 1860
Dear Sir I exceedingly regret your absence
from New York at this time, as the important
object of my visit is to have personal and con
fidential interview with you.
My apology for this breach of conventional
usage, in presuming to address you without the
formaity of an introduction, may be pardOned
in consequence of the very extraordinary nature
of the business which induced me to approach
you without the friendly Intervention of a third
party Indeed, it would not only have been I'M
wise, but actually dangerous for me to have even
borne letter of introduction.
Having assumed the whole responsibility of
this very critical step | cannot use too much
caution and circumspection TO insure my per
sonal safety and the successful accomplishment
of the mission have in view. Therefore, pre-
fer trusting my own judgment in approaching a
genteel stranger on such business to that of
bringing into my service the scrawls ots Govern
ors or members of Congress, with whom, per
maps you are as llutl6 acquainted as HlyStlt.
The official confidence which your government
seems to repose in you by intrusting to your
charge its great commercial affairs in the most
important city on this continent think Is sutfi-
Gent to warrant me in trusting to your discre-
ton, patriotism and loyalty a secret of the
greatest importance and interest to her Bri-
fannie Majestys Kingdom.
The present disastrous condition of political
affairs in the United States (which has no paral-
lei i'll the past history of the country seems to
| q Democratic
cOntending factions, all of which are so hungry
after the public spos that its dsintegrated 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 candi-
date (which is almost certain) amounts to to-
tai destruction Of all plantation interests, which
the South, sure as there is a God i'll heaven,
will not submit to- Sooner than yield to the ar
bitrary dictates of traitorous allies and false
| friends, who have proven recreant to the solemn
obligations of our old Constitution will either
secede from the Union and form separate gov
eminent, or upon certain conditions, at once re-
turn to our allegiance to Great Britain, our
mother country.
Many very many of the most wealthy and in
fluential planters throughout the South have al
ready discussed this alternative in the event of
the election of Mr.. Lincoln, and the popularity of
the proposition seems to pass from one to an
other almost with an elastic rapidity 1t Is true
Iney nave maze no puDuc demonstration OF UEelf
intentions for such a course would be attended
with direful consequences at this time, but the
pear will be fully ripe before November.
Gossiping newsmOngers and babbling pot
house politicians are not allowed tie know what is
going on in their midst.
Select dinner parties come off every day
throughout the whole South and not one of
them ends without 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 cooperation
in aid of accomplishing this grand object of re
turning to the dominion of our fathers kingdom.
Through your kindness and loyalty to your
Queen, l am DESTROYS of properly approaching
her Majesty's minister at Washington 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 in doing, you must
at present excuse me for not signing my name
for fear of an accident. This much you may
know; / am a Southron, and am a member of
Congress- whose untiring perseverance will never
cease until the object have thus boldly under
taken is fully accomplished. Be so kind as to
answer this as early as possible Allow me a
personal interview, and, if you cannot come to
New York, address your answer to Benjamin, y
in care of some one at your Office