Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1884 — A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY. [ARTICLE]

A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY.

Alleged Letter from Judah P. Benjamin, Proposing that the South Should Resume Allegiance to Great Britain. The following alleged letter from J. P. Benjamin, then United States Senator from Louisiana, to the British Consul in New York was left among Thurlow Weed’s papers, and is given in the volume of memoirs of his grandfather which Thurlow Weed Barnes is now carrying through the press: New York, Aug. 11,1860. Dear Sib— I exceedingly regret your absence from New York at this time, as the important object of my visit is to have a personal and confidential interview with you. My apology for this breach of conventional usage, in presuming to address youswithout the formality of an introduction may be pardoned in consequence of the very extraordinary nature o( the business w hich induced me to approach you without the friendly intervention of a third party. Indeed, it would not only have been unwise but actually dangerous lor me to have borne a letter of introduction. Having assumed the whole responsibility of this very critical step, I cannot use too much caution and circumspection to insure my personal safety and the successful accomplishment of the mission I have in view. Therefore, I prefer trusting to my own judgment in approaching a genteel stranger on such business, to that of bringing into my service the scrawls of Governors or members of Congress with whom, perhaps, you areas little acquainted as myself. Thd official confidence which your Government seems to repose in you, by intrusting to your charge its great commercial affairs in the most important city on this continent, I think is sufficient to warrant me in trusting to yonr discretion, patriotism, and loyalty a secret of the greatest importance and interest to her Brirannle Majesty’s kingdom. The present disastrous condition of political affairs in the United Statrs (which has no parallel in the past history of the oonntry) seems to have split the great Democratic party into many contending factions, all of which are so hungry after public spoils that its disintegrated parts render them an easy prey to the opposing black Republicans. The doctrines maintained by the Republican party are so unsuited to the great interests of the whole South that an election of their candidate (which is almost certain) amounts to a total destruction of all plantation interests, which the South, as sure as there is a God in heaven, will not submit to. Sooner than yield to the arbitrary dictates of traitorous allies and false friends, who have proven recreant to the solemn obligations of our old Constitution, we will either secede from the Union and form a separate Government, or, upon certain conditions, at once return to our allegiance to Great B.itain, our mother country. Many, very many of the most wealthy and influential planters throughout the South have already discussed this alternative, in the event of the election of Mr. Lincoln, and the popularity of the proposition seems to pass from one to another almost with an electric rapidity. It is true they have made no public demonstration of their intentions, for such a course would be attended with direlul consequences at this time, but the pear will be fully ripe before November. Gossiping newsmongers with babbling pothouse politieiena are not allowed to know what is going on in their very midst. Select dinner parties come off every day thioughout the whole South, and not one of them ends without a strong accession to our lorces. I have even heard some of them address each other by titles already. My object in approaching you is to cultivate your friendship, and procure your co-operation in aid of accomplishing this grand object of returning to the dominion ot onr fathers' kingdom. Through your kindness and loyalty to your Queen, I am desirous of properly approaching her Majesty’s Minister at Washington City, with a view to tho accomplishment of this great end. If you will condescend to grant me the necessary assistance for this purpose, you will soon receive the meritorious reward of your most gracious Qu* en. and the hearty cheer from eve ry true Briton’s heart for having aided in the return of the national prodigals. Reposing that confidence in yon which yonr position in life warrants me in dcing, you must at present excuse me for not signing my name for fear of an accident. This much you may know: 1 am a Southron, and am a member of Congress. whose untiring perseverance will never ceise until the object I have thus boldly undertaken is fully occomplished. Be so kind as to answer this as early as possible. Allow me a p - rsonal interview, and, if you cannot come to New York, address your answer to “ Benjamin," in eare of some one at you i office.