Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-02-08
LINCOLN IN VICTORIA.
An Intcrestins Chnptor OF tho Secret
Diplomacy OF the War Period.

Diplomacy OF the War Period.
Few men in Washington have
choicer collection of "reminiscences tha
General Pleasonton, the distinguishes
cavalryman. He served in the Florid
war, and was Hnrney's right-hnnd mn,
ut the time of tho Northwestern bound
ary dispute, and 10 him more than I,
any one officer is due the adoption o
that course which resulted in securing
San. Juan to our Government. Hi
campaigning has covered every section
OF the continent where the flag of tho
Union has ever floated over soldiers
His foreign travel has brought him iu
contact with men of position, and the
stories he relates are full of interest.
A few evenings since he repeated u
statement OF remarkable interest in re-
gard to President Lincoln, which was
given him in London soon after the
warby n leading member of Pnrlia-
mcnt, with whom he had close rela-
tions, The story formed deeply in
teresting and most important history in
the noted case of Mason and Slidell
According 10 General Pleasontons in
formant when the facts of the seizure
OF these Confederates by Captain
Wilkes became known in England. Lord
Palmerston was intriguing with France to
bring about joint Intervention against
the North. He was actively improving
the opportunity afforded by the excite
ment over the first news OF the seizure
TO further his ends. Matters we're rap
IDLY approaching crisis. The French
authorities were entering into Palmer
ston's scheme. Mr.. Lincoln. who was
kept fully informed OF the progress of
events. became much concerned Sud
denly the English Premier and those
about him were astonished to know that
the Queen had received some sort of n
communication from President Lincoln
which had not passed through their
hands, D.
The story OF General Pleasanton's IN
formant was this: Mr. Lincoln after
grave thought. over the possible storm
which Palmerston's schemes might
bring determined TO ignore The slow
and uncertain diplomatic methods, and
write personal letter direct to Queen
Victoria. This he did, addressing her
In earnest terms, rs ruler, wife and
mother, and speaking of himself as
President, husband and fnther, both
deeply interested in the welfare of their
people, and both able TO understand and
doubtless anxious to avert the horrors of
war, between nations as closely allied
MS England and America.
tio then went on to speak briefly OF
the cause iol The, North, and TO express
regret that the taking of Mason and
Slidell from an English ship should |
have put in peril the relations of the
two nations, He closed by assuring
the Queen that whatever disposition of
the case she might, in the light OF his
letter, regard rs just and honorable he |
would see that it was promptly ac-
cepted. FL .sr
These were the substantial points of
the letter as they were given TO Gen.
eral Pleasanton by this member of Par
lament, who held near relations to the
Queens Intimate counselors.
According TO the same authority,
Queen Victoria, upon receiving the let
Ter, which Mr.. Lincoln had sent over
by the hand OF special friend. sub
mitted 1t to Prince Albert, who entered
fully into the spirit OF it and advised
the Queen TO give it the fullest and
most friendly consideration. Prince
Albert further advised that Lord Pal
merston, whose secret hostility to the
North was well understood at the court.
should be sent for and informed in tho
most decided terms that dispatch of
friendly tone must be sent TO Washing
ton. While the release OF Mason and
Slidell and their two companions was
10 be insisted upon, ii was to be done in
such terms as would not dis urb peace
ful relations. Prince Albert, who was
well aware OF Palmerston's designs,
suggested further that he should be re-
quired TO submit his dispatch 10 tho
Queen for inspection. This was DONE
and, us foreseen by the Prince, there
were several passages which did not
strictly conform TO the general direc-
tions he had received. AT length sat
isiactory draft was submitted, when
Lord Palmerston was pointedly ordered
10 see that no word of 1t was changed
and that it should be dispatched at
once.
The English gentleman who related
these facts insisted TO General Pleason-
ton that, this personal letter Of Presi-
dent Lincoln alone ayerted such action
on the f1artf of G,reot Reitain octino, L., |