The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-30
A FAMOUS DISPATCH
OF sEwARD's CORRECTED BY
LINCOLN.
The Reasons Governing the Presi-
dent and the Notifications He
Matle-An Historic Memoir.

Under the title OF "A Famous Diplo.
matte Dispatch" the North american
Revi.w for April publishes the full
text, with fac simile, Of "the original
dispatch Of Mr.. Seward, as corrected
by Mr.. Lincoln, conveying to Mr.. Adj
ans, our Minister at London, his first
full instructions after the outbreak Of
the rebel ion" The date of the paper
Is May 81, 1851. Lincoln had been
President but eleven weeks. Seward
was bis Secretary Of State. Charles
Francis Adams had been cent to the
Court of Saint James, in place Of
George Nj. Dallas.
This paper" says Mr., Rice, "needs
few comments TO bring its remarkable
character before the reader. The bur-
den OF home affairs, which then lay
heavily on the new President, will
readily occur to every student OF his
tory. The countless demands upon his
time gave little opportunity for reflec-
ton, Plompt action was required in
all directions and in everything, great
and small. But, rs his handiwork,
now for the fret time presented, shows
he turned with perfect composure
FROM the home to the equally threaten.
ing foreign field, and revised, with q
mastery hand, the m ost important dis
patch that haias yet been prepared by
Mr.. Seward" ....i..r .t.lJ ea.
ON the 9Th Of June, 1875, Mr.. Bout.
we'll offered in the United States Sen.
ate resolution that "the President be
requested, II not in his opinion incon,
sistent with the public interests, to
furnish the Senate with 4 fac simile
copy Of the original draft Of the letter
OF the Secretary OF State to the Minis,
ter OF the United States at the Court
OF st, James, in Nay, 1851, in relation
to the proclamation OF her majesty
the Queen OF Great Britain, recogniE-
ing the belHgerent character Of the
| Confederate States"
This resolution was considered and
agreed to, by unanimous consent, but
no reply was made to it, and the pub.
lie heard no more OF the matter until
this remarkable state paper found its
way into the hands OF the editor oil
the North American Rerielc. It twill
bear long and continuous study" says
Mr.. Rice, "and no one can examine il
without acquiring new aud more
exalted estimate OF Mr.. Lincoln's
msny-sided powers" ,,.,.., +.
In fsct, it is the opinion OF many
distinguished men, especially verse d
in diplomatic courtesy and interns-
tional affairs, that Linccln's modifics-
tions OF Stewards dispatch saved us
from war with England at that time.
A psrt Of this great state paper, in
lie original form, is in the handwriting
OF Mr.. Seward, and other parts OF il
were evidently written, at his dicts-
ton, by several of his clerks. The
President went over the document
thus prepared, and ordered numerous
changes. He directed that omissions
be made; he smoothed asperities; he
heightened the dignifed politeness Of
Mr.. Seward; he changed even the syn
tax Of the paper, and no unpreiudiced
mind can fail to admit that every one
Of his changes was an improvement.
The article must be read entire for
the full significance Of this important
contribution to history, as no conden-