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No. 190.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Scward.

PARIS, September 3, 1862. SIR: Your despatches Nos. 199 and 200, with their enclosures, have been received.

These despatches both refer to the same matter, to wit: the military condition of things at home. I am happy to learn that neither the people nor the government has given way to despondency. The north has the material for success, moral and physical, and if it maintain its persistent, unshaken resolution, the result cannot be doubtful. I find that Âmerican citizens in Europe are more despondent than their countrymen at home. In despite of themselves, they are infected by the atmosphere around them. American newspapers, as I have before said, are, as a whole, little known to the larger portion of the continental press. These last supply themselves with the gleanings of American news from London newspapers, more especially from the London Times. This journal, though in conversation generally repudiated by Englishmen as an exponent of national feeling, is yet, I believe, the best existing exponent of the popular feeling of that country. It is, in fact, as in name, "The Times." Its articles are extensively copied on the continent, and even with those who distrust the paper, and dislike the people, they give direction to public opinion. It thus happens that our citizens abroad have constantly before them but one, and that the darkest and most distorted view of the condition of things at home. They run constantly to the legation for comfort, and it is a pleasure at least to be able to say to them I have had reassuring despatches from your department.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WM. L. DAYTON.

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

No. 191.] PARIS, September 9, 1862. SIR: A copy of your circular (No. 19) dated August 8, 1862, in reference to the wages of labor in the United States, was received by me, and, at or about the same time, another copy was received by our consul at this port.

Mr. Bigelow immediately caused it to be published in the French papers. The result has been a perfect "rush" to this legation. All seem to suppose that they are to have not only ample wages when they get to the United States, but their passage over, paid, or in some way provided for by the government. They are of course greatly disappointed, or profess to be, to find the contrary. But it seems to me, under the inducement of high wages thus held out to laborers, and the temptations of our military service with its pay and bounties, a large emigration must take place; and this would be much increased, permit me to suggest, if the government could induce ship-owners to lower the price of passage for emigrants. I make the suggestion in the hope that, with the aid of those familiar with these matters, you may hit upon some plan by which it can be carried out. The exhaustive character of the struggle in which our country is engaged seems to call for some such remedy to supply the depletion; and you may rest assured that nothing will tend so much and so promptly to that end as cheapening the price of passage. If to this could in any way be added the certainty, upon their arrival, of immediate employment, the gap in our popu

lation created by war and its incidents would be more than filled up by current immigration.

I am, sir, your very obedient servant,

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

WM. L. DAYTON.

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

No. 192.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

PARIS, September 10, 1862.

SIR: Your despatches from No. 201 to No. 206, inclusive, have been received. In reference to the subject-matter of one of these despatches, No. 203, I have heretofore written you a private and unofficial note. It will give me pleasure to cultivate friendly relations with the representatives of the governments of South America at this court, and to do what I can to smooth down any such feelings of distrust or suspicion as are referred to in your despatch No. 202. They cannot but know that the dangers they have heretofore incurred have originated rather in the fillibustering spirit of the south than in any ambitious purposes of the north. The success of the south in its present struggle would be sure to increase those dangers, while the success of the north will diminish them. It will scarcely be supposed, after what has passed, that we shall, in any event, be ambitious of adding much to our southern possessions. Your printed despatch No. 204 contains views and suggestions of which I may have occasion to avail myself hereafter.

Your despatch No. 205 refers to our treaty obligations with New Grenada. The views of this government on that question I have already given in my despatch No. 185, dated 29th of August last.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, dr., &c., &c.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

P. S.-I think I have not heretofore acknowledged, as I now do, the receipt of your printed circulars Nos. 18 and 21.

No. 193.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

PARIS, September 12, 1862.

SIR: Agreeably to your directions in despatch No. 201, I informed Mr. Thouvenel to-day of the circumstances under which the Mexican government had negotiated certain drafts upon the United States, based on treaties negotiated by Mr. Corwin and not ratified by our government, and which drafts were therefore unpaid.

Mr. Thouvenel, it would seem, had not seen the subject referred to in the public journals. He expressed his appreciation of the attention and friendship of the United States in the action of the government and in making the communication above referred to.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &, &c., &c.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

No. 195.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.
[Extract.]

PARIS, September 13, 1862. SIR: There have been such frequent references, in the English as well as the American journals, to conferences between Mr. Slidell and Mr. Thouvenel, that I began to think that there might be something important which I should know but did not. In a conversation, therefore, of some length, had with Mr. Thouvenel yesterday, I referred to the subject. I stated that he might have observed I had not for some time past referred to Mr. Slidell, or the efforts at this court of the emissaries of the south; that I had avoided it because, as I understood, they had no official relations with the French court. To this he assented. I then stated, generally, that if any propositions or suggestions had come or should come, from any source, affecting the interests of the United States, and which should be entertained or considered by the French government, I should be thankful to him if he would let me know what they were, that I might make such suggestions as might be necessary. I did this because I had seen it distinctly stated that certain suggestions or propositions as to the modification of slavery in the south had been made and recently renewed, and I felt that if such unofficial suggestions or propositions, which I could not strictly inquire about, were entertained by the government, we were in a worse position in this respect than if these emissaries had been duly accredited and received. Mr. Thouvenel, without giving a direct answer to my suggestions, immediately said that he had seen Mr. Slidell once, when he arrived in Paris, about which we knew everything; that afterwards, about the time that Mr. Mason last applied to Earl Russell, and for a like purpose, Mr. Slidell applied to him; that these were the only occasions upon which he had seen Mr. Slidell, and he much doubted if the latter felt greatly flattered by his reception. He said he was quite sure that Mr. Slidell was satisfied that his arguments had failed to convince him (Mr. Thouvenel) of the propriety of recognizing the south; that the argument of Mr. Slidell for recognition was precisely that which we had used for a withdrawal of a concession of belligerent rightsto wit, that it would "end the war;" that there might be some writing or negotiation afterwards, but that a recognition by France would substantially end the war! He added that he did not believe that Mr. Slidell had ever written to his government all that he (Mr. Thouvenel) said to him on the subject. He furthermore said that Mr. De Leon, ex-consul, &c., (author of a southern pamphlet published here,) and whom he seemed to consider as another southern agent now here, he had never seen at all. The pamphlet then lay on his table. He added that I knew well his sympathies and his acts had been with us from the beginning. This, I am satisfied, has been so. You may have remarked in times past that the subject of slavery, the causes of the rebellion, or the right of secession, have not been in our conferences a subject of general discussion. The truth is, no occasion has arisen to make such discussion needful or proper. I have always been satisfied that Mr. Thouvenel's views on the subject were right. He knows and perfectly appreciates the fact that slavery lies at the basis of the insurrection; that it is not free trade, nor any other of the pretexts or political pretences which are put forth by southern emissaries, that have led to this state of things. I only wish he was as well satisfied of our power to suppress the insurrection as I believe him to be satisfied of our right to do so.

*

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &r., &c., &c.

WILLIAM L. DAYTON.

No. 197.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

PARIS. September 17, 1862. SIR: I have been especially requested to call your attention to the mode in which telegrams are made up in New York for England and the continent They have for months past been, as is thought, uniformly and unfairly colored against us. The general answer here to our complaint is, they are made up in New York in the office and under the direction of the associated press, and published with the assent of the United States government. The fact is, these telegrams are manufactured from news received in the office of the associated press, but by an employé of Mr. Reuter, of London. He Las, if I am correctly informed, no business connexion with any person in the United States, nor is he responsible to, nor supervised by, any person there. He is simply and solely the salaried agent of Mr. Reuter. That many of these telegrams for months past have been wrongfully prejudicial to the United States and its interests in Europe cannot be denied. It is truly said that the current history of the war and of passing events in our country is written for Europe in these telegrams. They are received here always from two to four days in advance. of other news. They are at once scattered over Europe, and, if false, the impressions made are rarely corrected. I know that your attention has been heretofore called to this subject from London, and perhaps elsewhere, and am averse, therefore, to troubling you about it.

I enclose, for your consideration, a letter from the Rev. Dr. McClintock, sug. gesting a remedy.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

His Excellency WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

WM. L. DAYTON.

PARIS, September 17, 1862.

MY DEAR SIR: You will find in the enclosed envelope No. 1-1. A letter from D. II. Craig, esq., agent of the associated press, New York, to Wilson G. Hunt, esq., in answer to one which I had sent to Mr. Hunt through Mr. Budd. 2. A letter from Mr. Reuter's agent, who works in the office of the associated press at New York, for Mr. Reuter's account. This letter is in reply to certain criticisms of mine furnished through Mr. Hunt.

In envelope No. 2, addressed to Mr. Hunt, you will find-1. A letter of mine to Mr. Craig in reply to his. 2. A memorandum for the operator, noticing his answers to my former remarks, and adding some new criticisms on recent telegrams.

From all these documents you will, I trust, come to the conclusion that our government should appoint some thoroughly intelligent person who knows both Europe and America to prepare telegrams. I would not have Reuter's man either superseded or stopped from sending what he pleases; such a course would make an outery here. But the government agent should work in the office of this associated press at New York, and should form his telegrams (1) out of the newspapers of the day, (2,) out of the telegrams of the day as received at the office, and (3) out of special telegrams furnished him by the government at Washington. His despatches, thus formed, should contain the truth, in simple and unexaggerated language. All summaries of official documents, or of anything published or spoken for the press by Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Seward, or other eminent public men, should be very carefully made, and should

especially include any anti-slavery sentiment they may contain, as that sentiment is the chief support of our cause in the public opinion of Europe. As the history of the war is, in effect, written for Europe by telegraph, the operator should always have his past despatches before him when preparing new ones, so as to correct all errors and fill up all gaps.

The telegrams should be sent to Mr. Adams in London, and to you here, with authority to both legations to send copies at once to our principal consulates in England and France, and also to the press in both countries. This will involve expense, but it will be repaid a hundred fold in the results.

Very truly, yours,

Hon. W. L. DAYTON.

J. MCCLINTOCK.

P. S. Perhaps it would be better to have the telegrams sent to the consul in London and the consul in Paris for distribution, as their offices probably afford greater facilities for prompt work of that kind at all hours; or, by paying a larger sum, they might be sent direct from the telegraph office to the legations, consulates, and journals simultaneously. This would, perhaps, be best, as promptitude is everything.

No. 199.]

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

PARIS, September 18, 1862.

SIR: Herewith I send you a copy of two pamphlets lately issued here—one by Edwin de Leon, in the southern interest, and the other by Edward Laboulaye, in the interest of the north.

On page 12 of De Leon's pamphlet you will see the miserable effort made to explain away the opening of the port of New Orleans.

Monsieur Laboulaye is, as perhaps you know, a distinguished professor in the College of France, avocat in the imperial court of Paris, member of the institute, &c. His lectures the past winter on America drew immense crowds, and were greatly beneficial to us.

On page 44 he pays you a high personal compliment, and on page 59, note B, commences the reprint of a translation of your entire despatch to Mr. Adams on the 28th of May last. The pamphlet is little more than the republication of some newspaper articles by the author, but it is in the highest degree complimentary to our cause and yourself.

In behalf of both I have taken occasion to express my obligations to the

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SIR: I write this in haste to acknowledge the receipt this day of your circu lar, dated 4th September, 1862, with the printed letter from the Hon. Mr. Blair, Postmaster General, enclosed; likewise despatch No. 208, enclosing a copy of your despatch to Mr. Adams No. 336; likewise despatch No. 207.

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