Year: 1861

concerning the application Of the Commissioners Of the
Montgomery confederation having found their way into
the press the Department state consented that the
correspondence shall be prblshed;--


MR.. FAULKNER TO Mr.. SEWARD.


1l9


LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES


PAKs, APRIL 10, 1861. !
Hon VIM. II. sxwAKp, Secretary OF State


srR-I called to-day upon NJ Thouvenai, at the Minis.
try Of Foreign Affairs and prom pity admitted TO
interview Agreesby 10 your request, handed TO him
copy Of the inaugural address Of President Lincoln,
and added that was instructed by you to say
10 him that it embraced the views Of the
President Of the United States upon the d!ui.
cuties which disturb the har mony Of the Ameri-
Union and exposition of the general policy
which il the purpose of the government pursue
with view to the preservation Of domestic peace
the maintenance of the federal Union. Here H. Thou
vene asked if there not come diversity Of opinion in
the Cabinet of the President to the proper of
meeting the difficulties which disturbed the relations
of the states and general government replied upon that
point had no information. Under our tstem the Cabi-
advising body, its opinions entitled to
weight but did not necessarily compel the action of the
Presdenttne executive power by the constitution
vested exclusively in the President. I said that
! was further instructed TO assure him that Tie
President Of the United States entertains o full
confidence in the speedy restoration Of harmony an
unity Of the government by firm, yet just and liberal
policy operating with the deliberate loyal action
Of the American people. NJ Thouvenel expressed his
pleasure st the further said that the Pres
dent regretted the events going In the United States
might be productive Of sone possible Inconvenience to
the people and subjects Of France but he determined
that thoee nconveniences shall be made light and
transient possible, and far it may reg, with
y all Tho
from them shall be indemnifed. said to him that the
President thought it not impossible appeal would be
made before long by the Confederate States foreign
Powers, and, amongst others, TO the government
OF France for the recognition of their Independence that
such appeal having yet been made, 1t premature
and out of place to discuss any Of the points involved
that delicate and important inquiry but the government
Of The United States desired the fact to be known that
whenever any such application shall be made, it will
meet with opposition from the Minister who shall then
represent that government at this Court said to hn
that my mission at this Court would terminate and
should have official connection with the question
which it was anticipated might arise upon the demand
of the Confederated States for recognition Of their
independence that my place would soon be
supplied by distinguished citizen Of the
State OF New Jersey, gentleman who possessed the
confidence OF the President who fully sympatnze in



structed TO the then wishes and views Of the govern
ment Of United States and that the only elueat
which would now make, and which would close all 1
had TO say in the interview, was that proposition
recognizing the permanent dsmemberment Of the Amer
can Union shall be considered by the French government,
until after the arrival and reception OF the new
Minister accredited by the United States this Curt
NJ. Thouvenel, in reply, said that no application
bad yet been made TO him by the Con.
federGte States In any form for the
recognition Of their independence that the French 60
vernment not in the habit Of acting hastily upon
such questions, as might be seen by It's tardness in
recognizing the kingdom Of Italy; that he believed
the maintenance of the federal Union in it's integrity
was be desired for the benent Of the people of tn
North and South well for the interests of France
and the government of the United States might well
assured that hasty precipitate action would be
taken on that subject by the Emperor. But whilst he
gave utterance TO these views, he was equally bound
to say that the practice and usage Of the present
tuIy had fully established the right Of de fco govern
ments TO recognition when proper case was made out
for the decision Of foreign Powers Here the off al
interview ended. The conversation then further
protracted by inquiry from NJ. Thouvenel when the
new tariff would 60 into operation, and whether 1t
to be regarded the settled policy of the government
told him that the first day Of the present month hsd
been described the period when the duties would
take effect that had not yet examined It's provisions
with such would justify me in pronouuciug
opinion upon it's merits that it condemned by the
commercial classes Of the country and that had no
doubt from the discomfort manifested in several quers
that subject would engage the attention Of Congress
at its meeting and probably some important modid
cations would be made In IT, the finances government
were at this time temporarily embarrassed, and had no
doubt the provisions Of the tariff adopted with
view although probably mistaken one OF sustaining
the credit Of the treasury much as revving the pro-
tectve policy. he then asked my opinion to the
course OF policy that would be adopted toward the &C.
ceding States and whether thought force would be
ployed 10 coerce them into submission 70 the federal
authority. ] told him that could only give him my
individual opinion and that thought force would not be
employed, that a government OF publ, opin-
ion and although the Union unquestonaby possessed all
the ordinary powers necessary for s preservation as
had been shown In several partial insurrectlons which
had occurred in history, yet that the ex-
treme powers OF the government could only be used In
accordance with public ornion and that satisfied
that the sentiment OF the people opposed the en-
poyment Of force against the seeding States 50
was the Difference felt In that country for the great prn
cipcs Of self government and great the respect for the
action Of the people when adopted, under the imposing





did not think the employs of force would bc tolerated
for moment, and ] thought the only solution Of our
difficulties would be found in such notifications Of our
constitutional compact would invite the seeding
States back into the Union peaceful acquescence in
the assertion Of their claims TO q separate sove-
reignty. H. Thouvenel expressed the opinion that
the employment OF force would be unwise, and
would tend TO further rupture Of the conederacy by
causing the remaining Southern States 70 make common
cause with the states which had already taken action on
the subject am very respectfully, your obedent ser.
want, CHAs. J. FAULKNER
DECISIVE INSTRUCTIONS OF MR.. SEWARD TO Mr.


DAYTON.


NO. vu


DEPARTMENT SrAra, !


wAsHrcros, May 4, 1851,
sdR-The dispatches Of your predecessor Nos. III,
l1s and 100, have been received. The latter ackn,w.
Lodging the receipt Of letter OF recall and anpouuc
ing his intended return, requires no special notice. No
III bearo the date OF 9th Of April last II contains only