The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-08-17
A Thnrlow Weed Story.

1t vii! bc remembered that enrly in
the war Mr.. Weed was dispatched to
Europe on u special diplomatic mis-
sion connected with the capture of
Slidell and Mason, the fitting out in
foreign water of rebel cruisers, the
blockade of Southern ports, &c.
His first objective point was the
French court, and he landed at
Havic. lie lemnincl in Paris some
time in consultation with our minis
ter and others. Then he crossed the
channel, andwlilc i'll London was tho
special guest of the great American
banking firm of Peabody, Morgan 4
Co.
Ono morning, while sitting in the
private office uf the firm, Mr.. Morgan
showed him !; copy of fwhat purport-
cd to br !, circular letter, which was
obtained by Mr.. Morgan at the for
cign office.
This letter which had been s,lrrrpti-
onsly sent from Paris, ,fWpsl,n,lowcd
the position Which Louis Ncpolcon
wns to assume i'll his message to the
chamber upon American ntl;irs. Mir.
Weed quietly po.kctcd the copy,
packed his bag, and Immediately left
for Paris.
He WAS well acquainted with one of
the prominent bankers, in Paris,
whom he had known while the latter
was IL merchant in New York. Tho
banker WIS II iavOritr ut court, and
ON his arrival MIR. Weed proceeded to
the bankers chamber. liz showed
him the copy, which included this
passage i'll The forthcoming message.
"'rhe filling up of the Mirhor of
Charleston. $. C., is an unparalleled
instance of civilized G,rlntrity, and
it is time the European powers
should intctere." &c, Sc.
The banker read it carefully. then
paused. All mt cncc he cxclainr,l:
Il have ii! You know that the en-
prror pri,lcs himself upon following
directly in the steps of his illlstrious
uncle. Now in the great Nnpolrnn's
reign precisely the same thing uc-
Cured hy order of the emperor.
"i'nt have you proof of tlis?"
asked Weed. "licn ii is replied
the banker. as he took down IL hook
aiid opening To the page where the
order w;'s given by Napoleon to fill
up til" hnrbor of t'herbo,lrg in order
to prevent the approach of an
English fleet.
"Nuw," continued the banker, 81
will arrange for meeting letwce,l
YOU and the emperor tomorrow ut
10 O'Clock. You take this book with
you and keep your fillgeron tlrrp,ye.
but look out for Morl,y.'
will Non not accompany mcw
asked Weed.
"No, that would destroy tho ci-
feet"
The next morning Mr.. Weed pre-
srnted himself before the emperor,
who was surrounded with officials,
whom lie dismissed, saying: 81 have
special business with II foreign minis
ter" All retired but Morny.
Louis Napoleon could talk English
as well as French, and Weed ut once
plu'dged into tllemnttcr by showing
the emperor the copy Ilel.ad brought
from London. Turning to Morny,
the emperor said: "Wr have been
betrayed" 1t provc,lso, as nn under
secretary had been paid the sum of
10000, to furnish a copy to the
English.
Napoleon then proceeded to Justify
his proposed measure by SAYING
that sinking stone hnrgcs in the llar-
Dor of Charleston, thus shutting out
the port from the commerce of the
world, wns unprecedented in the his
tory of civilization"
NO, Sire" remarked Mr.. Weed.
"Your illustrious uncle did tlcsamc
thing"
"Whcn and whc,r?!" demanded
Napolean.
Weed then opened the book and
pointed out the paragraph.
The emperor WAS silrnrtl Weed
saw his auvnntlgcd and pursued it.
sire he said, there are four
cruisers fitting out in French waters
to curry the rebel flag
Napoleon paused for u few mo-
mcnts: then, turning to Mr.. Wcctl he
remarked: "Not one of them shall
have Il French port
Mr.. Weed retired from the presence
of his Ilnicsty, well satisfied with the
result OF his visit, and returned i'm
mc,liat"ly to London The olnox-
ions clause in the cnr"rors speech
Was stricken out and the wollid-lc
rebel cr,iscrsnmvrrlcit Il French port.