The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-02-07
JUDAH P. BENJAMIN.
A Curious Letter from the Noted Exon
federate Proposing that the South
Resume Allegiance to
Great Britain.

The following alleged letter from J. P. BEN
jam:n, then United States Senator from Lou
isiana, 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:
NEW YORK, Aug. IL, 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-
fdential interview with YOU.
My apology for this breach OF conventional
usage. In presuming to address y0n without the
formality OF an introduction may be pardoned
in consequence OF tho very extraordinary nature
Of the business which induced me to approach
you without the friendly Intervention OF third
party. Indeed. y would not only have been un-
wise but actually dangerous tor me to have
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 accompl shment
OF the mission have in view. Therefore, / lre-
fer trusting TO my own judgment in approach
ing gentecl stranger on such business. 10 that
OF bringing into my service the scrawis u Gov
ernors or members OF Congress- with s:hom.
perhaps, yOu are % 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. think
Is sufhcient to warrant me in trusting TO your
QlSGfet1OO.
the greatest Importance and interest to her
Britannia Majesty'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 TO
have split the great Deme cratic party into many
conteniing factions, all of which are 20 hungry
after public spotls that Its disintegrated parts
render them an easy prey to the opposing black
The doctrines maintained by the Repub-
ncan party are 30 unsuited to the great in
fNrN nf W an
OF their candidate (which Il almost certainl
amounts TO . total destruction OF all planta-
there Is q God in heaven. will not submit to.
Sooner than yield to the arbitrary dictates
OF traitorons 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 sci arate Government. or.
upon certain conditions. at once return to our al
legiance 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 popular
ity OF the proposition seems to pass from one to
! another almost with an electric rapidity. 1t is
true they have made no lublic demonstration
of their intentions. for such o course would be
attended with direfui consequences at this time
but the pear will be fully ripe before Nov, mber
Gossiplng newsmongers with babhling pot
house politicians are not allowed to know what
+ Is going on in their very midst.
Select dinner arties come of every day
throughout the whole South, and mt one Of
1 forces
I have even heard some of them address each
I other by titles already.
/ My object in approaching you Is TO cultivate
your fris ndship, and procure Your co operation
In aid of accomplishing this grand object OF
! returning to the dominion OF our fathers king
dom. Through Your kindness and Loyalty TO
! your Queen, | ann desirons of lroperly
approaching her Majesty's Minister at
Washington City. with view 10 the ac-
eomplishment OF this great end. Il you will
eondesctnd TO grant me the necessary assist
i ance for this purpose, yau will soon receive the
meritorous reward of yeur most gracious
Queen and the hearty cheer from eysry true
Briton's heart for having aided in the return OF
/ the national prodigals
Rel losing that confidence in sou which Your
position III life warrants Inc In do ing, yon must
at present excuse me for not signing my n sme for
fear Of an accident. This much you may know
| am southfon, and am a member of Con-
gress, whose nntiring perseverance W ii never
cease until the object have thus boldly under
taken II fully accomplished. lie - kind as te
answer this a. early a. possible. Allow me .
personal interview, and. Ii yoa cannot come ta
New York, address your answer to Benjamin,
in care OF some one at your Office.