Evening journal., 1912-12-24
new NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY YESTERDAY
An Influence More Power
full Than That Of the
American Minister
By Holland.

Emperor. Louis Napoleon, to send
message to the French corps legisla-
tif, early In January, 1862, announc-
ing that France would no longer re-
spect the blockade Of the Southern
ports of the United States by the
Union fleets, for the reason that tho
French manufacturers and working
men needed cotton and the United
States had no right to make them
suffer because Of any war or naval
measures the Union armies or navies
might take
That message to the French parlia-
ment was never delivered. 70 was In
type and it would have been delivered
II the emperor had not been informed
suddenly by his prime minister, the
Due de Morny. that the message
must not be sent in.
I'm the fall OF 1861 Thurlow Weed
wGs appointed by President Lincoln
one Of a special embassy of three
Bishop Mcllvaine OF Ohio and Arch
bishop Hughes OF New York being
the other two-to France and Ger
many.
Mr. Weed went to Paris in mid
December, 1861 He there learned.
that the emperor would in all proba-
bility. announce that France would
not respect the Federal blockade Of
the Southern ports. 10 was part Of
his confidential mission to attempt to
persuade France not to take any open
steps which would ten to endanger
the friendly feeling existing between
the United States and the empire.
AS soon as Mr. Weed heard that the
emperor intended to issue procla-
nation OF this kind he made desperate
efforts to have a meeting with Napo-
Icons prime minister, the Due de
Morny. All OF these attempts failed
until, only a day before the date fixed
by the emperor for issuing the proc
lamation. Mr. Weed found that sud
denly an opportunity had been pro-
cured for an interview with the
prime minister In that interview
Mr., Weed called the prime minister's
attention 10 a diplomatic situation in
which France and England shared
jointly and by which they perpetually
blOckaded the port OF Dunkerque.
When the Due de Morny read the
treaty between England and France
for maintaining this blockade, he said
10 Mr.. Weed: 81 had forgotten this
treaty. II shall be as you wish; in
Wow of this treaty the emperor can
not justify an attempt to break the
American blockade"
A few months after Mr. Weed re-
turned from Europe he narrated to
some Of his friends the strangely 70
mantle manner in which he secured
an interview with the prime minister
OF France.
Just as / was sailing from New
York for Europe, in November, a gen
tleman came to me upon the steam
ship and gave me an envelope which
he said contained a name and address
which I was to make use OF I'm case
! found myself confronted with diff
iculties I'm Paris.
81 forgot all about this envelope
until one evening when 7 was driving
to my lodgings from the Offices OF
the American Minister, William l..
Dayton | happened to see name
over store. Il was the same name
as that Of the gentleman who called
upon me on the steamship. That
chance caused me to remember the
envelope took It from my pocket
and oened it, Il contained, written
upon slim Of paper. name and an
address. That was all
81 went Immediately to the address
and asked for the gentleman whose
name was upon the slip. He received
me very cordially and said that he
had expected for two or three days
to see me. He told me that he would
secure an interview with the prime
minister for me.
But said I. our own American
minister has been unable to do that
Quite possible the gentleman re-
piled, but go to your lodgings and
wait there until you hear from me.
When you see the Due de Morny sim
ply say to him that you would like
to have him get from the archives a
copy OF the treaty Of Dunkerque.
When he reads that treaty he will see
that the emperor cannot proclaim
that he will no longer recognize the
blockade OF the Southern ports
1.-TWO hours after / reached my
lodgings ! received a note informing
me that I could call upon the prime
minister at a certain hour that after
noon did call and ] brought the
treaty OF DunkerQue to his attention
And il all resulted exactly as my uu-
known friend had predicted tho en-
poror's proclamation was never is
sued
/ was greatly interested to know
how it was possible for this man.
who seemed 10 be a sort OF banker
to procure an interview with the
prime minister for me when our own
American minister was unable TO do
that But not until ] returned TO tho
United States did ! discover the rea-
son This man WAS the financial
agent or banker OF Duo dc Morny and
had made a great deal OF money for
him. He had commanding influence
with him He was also the brother
in-law Of the gentleman who gave me
the message upon the steamship Only
few moments before | sailed in No
vemher'
Copyright. 1912. by r. j. Edwards
All rights reserved.)