The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-03-08
An important
Mission
II inpoiued the Very Ex-
istence of the Amer
lean Union

/ Half century ago when the strug,
/ gle for the American Union was going
/ on European nations showed them
selves very much concerned In the az
/ fairs OF the western hemisphere. Many
i English for several reasons favored the
Confederate cause.
affairs was OF far greater importance
| than that OF any Of the others. But
here begins my story. which Will per-
mil one TO tell who mingled In the
events which concerned her Ny grand.
father. then Il young man Of twenty.
three. was attached TO the American
! legation at Paris fell heir TO his
papers. On one package sealed with
the seal Of the United States and dated
April II. 1866, was written:
Not to lie opened for fifty years"
Ten years before the date for the
opening Of this package my graDdfa-
TIERS papers came into my possession.
II is needless to say that awaited the
coming OF April II. 1915. with impa-
tience. When IL came round at exact.
~ II o'clock midday tore OF the COW
er to the package. This is what It
contained:
propose TO put In writing what Is
doubtless the most important diplo-
maIic event In the history of the Unit
ed States A member Of the embassy
OF the United States at Paris. ! have
been concerned IN this event. and ]
desire that my descendants shall have
an opportunity to know of this fact
There Is no designating the life Of q
diplomatic secret. but presume In
half century all the parties concern
ed In the matter will have passed away
and there will he no necessity for its
further keeping
One morning when was engaged on
my chiefs correspondence he sent for
me to come to his private room. and
when entered he gave orders to
the attendant to admit no one till fur
Their orders; then. locking the door he
motioned to a seat beside him at his
desk and said to me:
II am about to intrust yon with a
very important mission. but before
committing it to you | must explain
the situation.
LAS you know. the emperor has EN-.
parked on his Mexican scheme. Ii
the federal government Of the United
States Is re-establiShed over the seceI-
ed states the French will he obliged
to leave the western hemisphere. If
the emperor can bring about the es-
of the COnfederacy he will
not only face divided North America.
but will secure The friendship OF the
southern people
"a knowledge of the fact that he
has made n proposition to England to
intervene in America. with view to
the Independence Of the
Confedelncy, and that England has
TO join him has recently
come to me How have Obtained
this information II is not necessary
that YOU should know YOn need only
be informed of the fact that France
and England are about TO issue joint
acknowledgment of the Independence
Of The Confederate States of America.
md the next step will he to break the
bio kade.
There is at present but one power
hat may he interested in defeating
his project Of France and England
Sweden. Norway. Prussia. the German
states aud fragrnentary Italy are not
Interested In the western world, and
{ they were they are too small to have
my effect there. Prussia Is a growing
lower. but has made no move toward
or aggression In any form.
1T is but few years since Russia
nd she Is still smarting under the
all Of SebastopOl and the failure OF |
he Crimean war | have learned. too. |
bat the ear looks with jealousy upon |
.ngIand's constantly increasing power
II the sea He dreams. as all his pre-
epesSors have been dreaming for cen
uries. OF securing an outlet TO the
7orlds waters through the DardaDelles
nd making his people maritime ma
ION
The minister paused and seemed lost
I thought. Presently lie resumed:
Il wish you 10 he the bearer OF In.
JrmatiOn TO the ear Of Russia of this
love on the part OF France and Eng
md While Il Is not necessary that
IN should know how II came to ME.
is essential that you have proof OF
bat you are to assert. Here" taking
D an envelope containing papers. ARE
suments that substantiate what you
e TO say TO the car"
He handed them TO me. and while
'rused them he waited. endea voring
engage in other work. but | saw
at he was engrossed with the affair
question and could not divert bis
ind to anything else When ! had ,
llshed he continued:
These papers are for no other eyes :
An yours and the cars. You are not ,
send them 10 him: you are to de |
er them In person or not al all .
hen be has finished reading them =
u are 10 say TO bin that they have i
T., 10 Inc