The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-12-08
,:.iAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

'i!l. proposition: %: the French Govern
t,.ir"si"y.
eT.i,. il ne Spniay Ecws3
] return now to the proposition II IT.
iation to the recognition of the Gonfed-
eracy Which was made on behalf OF the
Emperor Napoleon. The date was moi
given me. but | imagine that it must
have been at about the tine that the
Federal Government was in the straits
which Mr.. Swinton has described. 1t
was probably III May or June, 1864. The
story. Us It was given to me, IS as fol-
lows:
,Ir. Slidcll had had pleasant ac-
quaintancc with N. Mocquard, the pri-
vate secretary Of the Emperor Napoleon,
who came to him at last with mes
sage from his imperial master. NJ.
Mocquard told NIr. Shdel that the En-
peror considered it for the interest of
France to assist the Confederate States
to obtain their independence, and that
he was anxious to give his assistance to
that end "But," said N. Mocquard,
England is unwilling to act with ssus,
and the opposition to slavery, whether
the opposition be sentimental or not, is
so strong that the Emperor feels that he
cannot, especially when acting alone,
take step that would have the effect Of
establishing a government which has
slavery as a basis. If, however, con-
tinued NJ. Mocquard, s:the Confederate
Government will, by treaty with France,
consent to the gradual emancipation OF
the slaves, no matter what length OF
time be taken to complete the operation,
the Emperor viii officially recognize the
Confederate States rs an independent
nation, and order the immediate release
OF the ironclads which have been built
ior the Confederate Government. -
1Ir. Sidell was astounded at this
proposition, but proceeded to explain to
III. Mocquard that slavery was matter
over which the Confederacy had 10 con-
troll, as the States alone had authority to
deal with their domestic institutions, and
that each State would have to decide for
itself whether to agree to what had been
proposed. 71,IIr. Sidell, at the same time,
expressed the opinion that the States
forming the Southern Confederacy
would not consent to abolish slavery.
N. -Mocquard murmured his regrets and
departed.
\ few days later the Emperors private
secretary made his appearance again,
and told Mr.. Sidell that he had a new
suggestion. s'The Emperor" ne said,
will not question what you say about
the powers of the Confederate Govern
ment, but viii be fully satisfied ii you,
on behalf of your Government, Will sign
such q treaty as was outlined in the first
interview. But" said Nh. Shdell, 81
have not the power; I have not the au-
thority to make any such treaty. 1t
would he nothing but waste paper,
Never mind that, " said u. MocluArd,
because, before any disavowal can take
place, the Confederacy will have been
recognized by France, the Confederate
ironclads will have raised the blockade
OF the Southern ports, and thoSt who
then question Frances action must be
prepared for war Mr.. Shdell insisted
That he could not dream Of taking so tln-
precedented step, and, after some eX-
post,llatior, ". Mocquarl took his
leave. With him the last hope OF the
Confederacy had vanished.
It strikes the ordinary Confederate,
who WAS not a diplomatist, that Mr..
Slidell could very well have accepted the
offer which was made to him wien he
knew that by doing 50 he would have
secured the freedom OF his people.
What il he had been reprlmanded?
What ii be had been accused OF treason?
y hat ii he ha,! been taken out by
Richmond mob and swung 10 Il lamp
post? One lie, even Mr. Siidell' life,
woald have been an insignificant price
to pay for the frJ,ition OF all our hopes,
which Frances action would have IN
sured. But Nj. Slidell moved by rule
and line, and, had he been III the army,
would have refused, no doubt, to have
defeated the enemy 1t Ill, unless he
could have defeated them Ill strict ac-
corlancc with the theory OF waras given
by .Jomini and other writer's on military
strategy.
How came it TO he known that such a
proposition was made? Mr.. Sidell re-
ported it to his Government. t was
usual to send all dispatches i'll duplicate,
because OF the risk OF loss in running
the blockade. One Of the dispatches
was sent always to the Confederate agent
ut Nassau. In his temporary absence,
the dispatches Of NJ. Slidell were de-
iycred to the friend who had been
chosen us his representative. 1t was ex-
pected that the dispatches should be
opened and read, in order, perhaps, that
an additional copy might be retained.
Among the dispatches which came into
the hands Of the temporary agent OF the
Government at Nassau was the dispatch
covering the narrative which has been
given here.
Some months ago / mentioned this to
3Ir. John Bigelow, who was consul gen
eral at Paris during the civil WAL Mr..
Bigelow was confident that no such
proposition rs that which is attributed to
VI. -Iocquard was ever made, as he
would have been sure to have heard OF
it. [ can fancy tGat there We're many
things IN French diplomacy during the
war that were not dreamed Of by either
Minister Dayton or charming MIR. BlSe-
low.