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I am rereading Don H. Doyle's The Cause of All Nations, Basic Books, New York 2015. Secretary of State Seward knew by September of 1861 that the Confederates were planning to send Mr. Mason and Mr. Slidell to Europe. p. 74. Seward in October organized his own diplomatic mission including his main operative Thurlow Weed, along with Catholic Archbishop Hughes and Episcopalian Bishop Charles McIlvaine. Winfield Scott resigned about that time and he accompanied the mission to France and England.
The US emissaries were delayed slightly by rough weather and only arrived at Le Havre on 11/24/61. A few days later news of Trent affair broke in Europe. p. 76
The context was that the US and Britain were still considering a right of inspection treaty. The treaty would allow British ships to stop US ships suspected of participating in the prohibited slave trade, which was a substantial concession of sovereignty by the US, but was also necessary, since the US could not afford to patrol the coast of Africa.
While the US reminded Britain of how large a concession was involved in the treaty, the case of Nathanial Gordon, a slave trader convicted and sentenced to death was also pending in New York.
The news of the decision to release the Confederate diplomats reached London on 01/03/62, and the diplomats themselves arrived later.
Its not hard to see how this delay helped the US administration. Before Slidell and Mason met with foreign secretary Earl Russell, the US was able to send information about the US having secured the 5 border areas to loyal participation in the US. While they were there, Gordon was executed. On top of General Thomas' victory at Mill Springs, the US also broke through in North Carolina and in Tennessee, which was better news than the summer disasters of 1861.
December 1861 was a very bleak time for the US, but it is difficult to believe that the US administration seriously considered going to war with Britain.
The US delayed Slidell and Mason reaching Europe until the US mission was already there.
General Scott signed a conciliatory letter which was published in England and in France on December 3. p 77
And on 12/6/61 Thurlow Weed met with Earl Russell at Russell's estate. The meeting went well and Russell's wife hinted that the Queen was not in favor of the proposed war with the US. p.81. That was nearly correct, but it was actually Prince Albert who was involved in modifying the British demands. Ibid.
Given the speed of communication at that time, and the high level, though informal deputation sent by the US, it seems as if the US was playing for time.
The US emissaries were delayed slightly by rough weather and only arrived at Le Havre on 11/24/61. A few days later news of Trent affair broke in Europe. p. 76
The context was that the US and Britain were still considering a right of inspection treaty. The treaty would allow British ships to stop US ships suspected of participating in the prohibited slave trade, which was a substantial concession of sovereignty by the US, but was also necessary, since the US could not afford to patrol the coast of Africa.
While the US reminded Britain of how large a concession was involved in the treaty, the case of Nathanial Gordon, a slave trader convicted and sentenced to death was also pending in New York.
The news of the decision to release the Confederate diplomats reached London on 01/03/62, and the diplomats themselves arrived later.
Its not hard to see how this delay helped the US administration. Before Slidell and Mason met with foreign secretary Earl Russell, the US was able to send information about the US having secured the 5 border areas to loyal participation in the US. While they were there, Gordon was executed. On top of General Thomas' victory at Mill Springs, the US also broke through in North Carolina and in Tennessee, which was better news than the summer disasters of 1861.
December 1861 was a very bleak time for the US, but it is difficult to believe that the US administration seriously considered going to war with Britain.
The US delayed Slidell and Mason reaching Europe until the US mission was already there.
General Scott signed a conciliatory letter which was published in England and in France on December 3. p 77
And on 12/6/61 Thurlow Weed met with Earl Russell at Russell's estate. The meeting went well and Russell's wife hinted that the Queen was not in favor of the proposed war with the US. p.81. That was nearly correct, but it was actually Prince Albert who was involved in modifying the British demands. Ibid.
Given the speed of communication at that time, and the high level, though informal deputation sent by the US, it seems as if the US was playing for time.