Year: 1873

ten Chapter ON the Rebellion.


The death Of the ex- Emperor Napoleon recalls
an incident of the great Southern Rebellion which
has not hitherto been made public 1t is well
known that the late Emperor of the French was
an active and earnest sympathiser with the South
that more than once he seriously meditated ma
terial Intervention in its behalf that the inva-
sion of Mexico and the enforcement Of Maxi
milan in the seat of the Montezumas was part
of deliberate plot to break up the American
Union. But to what lengths be proceeded-how
resontely determined he was to carry his fell de-
sign into execution-has never been fully known
outside Of narrow official circle. The story of
his purpose is short but suggestive and was told
by Seward to few personal friends at a dinner
party, among whom was the writer of this article
No one who was present will ever forget the in-
tense earnestness and animation of the great
statesman. as be related the momentous incident.
The exact words, so pregnant with eloquent
meaning-so solemn and impassiOned-we cannot
in every instance reproduce, but the general inl-
port is given below:


1t was, said Seward, in the darkest days of the
rebellion. Disaster upon disaster had befallen
the Union armies. Treason was active and bold
fronted in Washington, in the North and in the
West. Rebel emissaries and their allies were
plotting against US over the Canadian border
Our foreign relations were most critical Rebel
cruisers were being fitted out in British ports and
sent to prey upon our commerce; Germany was
coldly neutral the smaller European States we're
indferentspectators of the conflict; Russia was
the only friend we had among the powers of the
earth


In this desperate emergency received an au-
tograph letter from the Emperor of the French
1t was marked private and confidential" 1t
began with expressions of personal regard for my
self, and pain at the spectacle of the great Re-
public in the throes OF dissolution. Personally"
said Napoleon, could wish the cause of the
Union to succeed. But the welfare of France
and the force Of popular opinion are paramount
to personal sympathies. Our commercial interests
are seriously suffering from the prolongation Of
your war. My subjects appeal to me to arrest the
bloody conflict. | must obey the voice of France |





at whatever cost. You cannot put down the re-
bellion embrace the earliest opportunity to make
terms with the South. If you fail to do this, |!
shall feel compelled in the interests of my coun-
try-in the interests of civilization-to intervene |
with all the power at my command


answered Napoeon's insulting letter imme-
iiately. did not waste words in compliments.
said j; This is family quarrel. We propose to
settle it in our own way and in our own time.
We do not wish the assistance of outsiders we
will not brook interference The American Union
5 to be preserved. 1t shall be preserved if it
axes twenty years to do it. The war is hardly
yet; the people are just beginning
% warm TO the work. We wish to be on good
erms with our neghbors-we wish especially to
De on good terms with France, our ancient friend
md ally. But you must keep hands off. If you
presume to interfere, we will show you what a
rec people battling for a national existence are
apable Of Hitherto we have conducted the war
in accordance with the codes that gov
rn the most Christian States Interference on
our part will be the signal for war of conquest
nd destruction. We will free the negroes we
will put arms in their hands and send them forth
o ravage and plunder. We will make the South
waste aud desOlatlOn. Raise a hand against
S, and horrors worse than those of San Domingo
'ill be seen from one end of the South to the
ther


The letter was sent by the first steamer. The
anne day telegraphed to Thurlow Weed, Arch
ishop Hughes and Bishop Simpson to meet me
the AstOr House the morning following. That
vening | left for New York and explained to
hese eminent gentlemen the objects of the con-
srence, and the new danger that threatened the
Jnion cause. told them that they must at once
o to Europe, to labor unoficially with the Gov
rnment and ruling classes in England and on the
ointment, to represent the .wickedness, danger
nd folly of foreign interference In less than
eek they we're on their journey, reached Europe
most opportune moment Mason aud Slidel
ad just been seized and England was in white
eat Of rage) and did much toward convincing
urope that the proper thing and the only thing
} do was to leave US alone. And the mission
'st the Government less than s7OOO.-S F.
'uiletin, January 10th.