The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-02-04

Mr.. Blank Was Sent to England to Solicit
Aid and Faiied-The Message He Sent
TO MIR. Memminger Was the Opposite of
What He Supposed.
The Southern Confederacy was only
few months old when financial agent
was sent to England on very impor-
tant mission Mr. Blank was politi-
elan and banker He was also an ele-
giant gentleman, with many influential
acquaintance ON both sides of the wa
ter.
Before leaving Richmond he had
long talk with Memminger, the secre-
tary of the treasury
"If find that England will aid us, ="
he said, Il will send you word by some
reliable blockade runner. 1t will be
very brief message, but You will under
stand it, while it will mean nothing To
the enemy if it should be intercepted "
The confidential agent slippedthrough
the lines, and in less than Il month was
comfortably established in London In
the metropolis lie found many southern
ers and many prominent Englishmen
who sylnpathized with the sccessionists.
He saw Mr.. Yanccy, the Confederate
minister. every day, and the two work
ed together in harmony. Mr. Yaneey
was practical man and was not long
in coming to the conclusion that no aid
was to be expected from the British gov
eminent.
THE abolition sentiment controls
here, " he said to Mr.. Blank "Some of
the statesmen would like to help the
south in order to break up the Union,
but the people will never consent. The
south will have to fight alone. "
Blank felt pretty blue when he heard
this, and that night he wrote the single
word successful" on thin slip Of pa
per and slillfully secreted it i'll an or
binary coat button. The next day he
was visited by southern friend who
remained with him for an hour or more.
During his stay he removed the top but
ton from his coat and sewed on one
given by Mr. Blank.
II understand it all, " he said when
he left "If get safely to Wilmington,
l will go at once to Richmond and give
this button to Mr.. Memminger. Iprefer
not to know the nature of the message,
as you say that it explains itself y
Yes" replied Blank sit will be
understood by the secretary and as it
refers to state secret | cannot say any
thing about it, y
The two shook hands, and the gentle
man with the precious button took the
next train for Liverpool, where he
boarded steamer bound for Whining
ton.
The steamer was chased 10y Federal
cruisers but she managed to reach her
destination without amy serious mishap.
In the course of two or three days the
mysterious traveller called on Mr.. Mem
minger i'll Richmond and presented him
with button The secretary cut off its
covering in hurry and smiled when
he read the word 'successful
Did Mr. Blank show this message to
your" he asked
"No. We both thought it best that /
should remain III Ignorance 50 that no
telltale expression of my face would be-
tray anything if the enemy captured
me.
AT ii meeting of the cabinet that aft
ernoon Mr.. Memminger was in high
spirits. He predicted that the war would
be over in 90 days and said that England
was preparing to recognize the Confed-
eracy and send over her warships to
break the blockade
II have this, he said, ''from my con
tidential agent, MI~ Blank.
The name commanded respect, and
when the secretary said that under the
circumstances loan of Sl5 900, 600 ne.
gotiated in Europe would be sufficient
everybody agreed with him The weeks
rolled on, and Erlangcr in Paris adver-
tised for bids for $ 3, 900, 600 in Confed-
crate bonds Mr. Blank read this at his
London hotel and dropped his paper i'll
his agitation.
well, III be DID, he remarked
Must be n mistake. I'll run over and
see about it. >
The next day he was at Erlanger's
Office in Paris The French banker in
formed his visitor that there was no
mistake and then Blank swore vigor.
ously The bids rushed in from all quar-.
tiers. If the demands of these specula.
tors had been met, 5000 600 600 in Con.
federate bonds could have been sold
When this fact became Known, Mr..
Blank again relapscd into profanity.
He could not stand it, and, despite
the danger of the trip, he made his ar
engagements to return home His inter
view with Mcmmingcr was stormy
one when he arrived at Richmond.
II intended TO write unsuccessful
he said aft Ia long talk.
We'll. there is your message, re-
piled tine secretary. You wrote sue.
cessful "
81 don't understand it, said Mr.
Blank sadly. Surely your advices from
Mr.. Yancey should have warned you
that there was something wrong"
His dispatches were intercepted, "
answered the other,
II don't understand it, repeated
Mr., Blank
Perhaps | do, quietly remarked
the secretary. Il have carefully noted
your talk this morning, and | have dis
covered that you are IA heterophemist
For instance, you say London when you
mean Richmond and Richmond when
you mean London. You similarly mis-
use the names of other places and per