The Life of William H. Seward (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... administration in the ensuing election. Slidell suggested that France should declare Charleston, Wilmington, and some small cities to be open ports, and enforce the decree by arms. He thought it likely " that the northern press and government would bully and menace, but that experience had fully shown what value should be placed on their threats." Then he set forth the proposition as Benjamin had directed, and, in addition, he expressed the belief that the Confederacy could have no objection to making common cause with France against the United States and the republican government in Mexico. 1 Text in Bigelow's France and the Confederate Navy, 176-79. If the very existence of France had depended upon success in Mexico, then the proposition would have been a fair one. As it was, Napoleon was to get, if he could, something like twenty million dollars after involving France in a war with the United States. He understood how this would satisfy his sentiment, but not his interests, although Slidell was magnanimous enough to say: " Tour majesty has now an opportunity of securing a faithful ally, bound to you not only by the ties of gratitude, but by those, more reliable, of a common interest and congenial habits." What wonder that, as the Confederate commissioner was advocating recognition, the Emperor remarked, " with a very significant smile " " It is very singular that, while you ask absolute recognition, Mr. Dayton is calling upon me to retract my qualified recognition of you as belligerents." Slidell explained this as " but another evidence of the insolence of the Washington government."l Although Slidell saw that the Emperor was thoroughly non-committal on the different points of importance, he nevertheless inferred " that if England long...