Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-10-17
An Important
Mission
II Involved the very Err
istencs Of the Amer
lean Union
By F. A. mitchell

AsC AVt kAG AehNaftn &nA04 " IN 8oAn8
IN European nations showed them
selves very much concerned in the AZ
airs OF the western hemisphere. Many
English for several reasons favored the
Confederate cause.
As for France. her part In American
affairs was Of far crater Importance
THAN that OF any II the others. But
acre begins my story. which viii per-
nit one TO tell who mingled In the
events which concerned her Ny grand
father. then 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 IL. 1861 was written:
Not to be opened for nfty years.
Ten years before the date for the
opening Of this package my grahdsa-
theirs papers came Into my possession.
II 10 needless 10 say that q waited the
coming Of April II. 1915. with impa-
tience When II came round at exact
" II o'clock midday tore ID the COW
er to the package. This 10 what II
contained:
propose to put In writing Whist b
doubtless the most important diplo
matte event In the history of the Unit
ed States. A member Of the embassy
Of the United States at Paris. I have
been concerned In this event. and
desire that my descendants shah have
an opportunity to know Of this fact
There II no designating the life Of
diplomatic secret. but presume In
half a cenfary all the parties concern
ed in the matter with have passed away
and there will he no necessity for ity
further keeping
my chiefs correspondence be sent for
me TO come to his private room. and
when entered be gave orders to
the attendnnr to admit no one till fur
Their orders: then. locking the door. he
motioned to seat beside him Ut his
desk and said to me:
Il am about to intrust you with
very important mission. but before
committing 1t to you must explain
the situation.
AS Jon know. the emperor has EN-
barked on his Mexican scheme. II
the federal government Of the United
States Is re-established over the secei-
ed states the French win b obliged
to leave the western hemisphere II
the emperor can bring about the e.
Enlistment Of the Confederacy he win
not ouiy face divided North America.
Tut will secure the friendship OF the
southern people.
"A knowledge Of the fact that BE-
has made q proposition to England to
intervene In America. with . view TO
establishing the independence VI the
Confederacy. and that England has
consented to join him has recently
come to me Hnw have obtained
this InfarnubairlaE II H. us't nesesxary
rh;-t yum ,.ii.I.,hl ki...w yA, i.s.c,l .n,s
liz a,fnrsus-i ~xJiw las, tiat t'nn.~
and England are sbans 10 issue ! lclni
acknowledgment OF the Independents
Of the Confederate States Of America.
and the next step will b to break the
blockade.
There u At present but one power
that may be interested In defeating
this project Of Frame and England
Sweden. Norway. Prussia. the German
states and fragmentary Italy are NOT
interested In the western world. and
II they were they are too small to have
any effect there. Prussia u growing
power. but has made no move toward
colonization y aggression In any form.
1T b but few years since Russia
suffered defeat by these two powers
and she 10 still smarting under the
fall Of Sebastopol and the failure Of
the Crimeau war. I have learned. too.
hat the cxar looks with Jealousy npoU
England's constantly Increasing power
ON the sea He dreams. A. all hia pre-
decessors have been dreaming for cen
turtles. Of securing an outlet 10 the
worlds waters through the Dardanellcs
and making his people . maritime ma
iion~.'
The minister paused and seemed losi
In thought. Presently be resumed:
II wish you TO be the bearer Of In
formation to the car Of Russia of this
move ON the part OF France and Eng
land. While II II not necessary that
you should know how II came to me.
1t u essential that you have proof Of
what you are to assert. Here" taking
up an envelope containing papers. ''are
documents that zubstantiate what you
are to say to the czar."
he handed them to me. and while
perused them be waited. endeavoring
to engage In other work. but saw
that be was enErossed with the affair
IN Qnestjon and could NOT divert bis
mind to anything else. When ! had
finished be continued:
These papers are for no other eyes
than yours and the cara You are not
10 send them 70 him: Jon are to DE-
DIVER them In person or not at al
When b has 6nished reading them
ron are to Say 70 him that they have
been iutrusted to ron for hje inspec.