Mr. Clay to Mr. Seward.
[Extracts.]
Sir:
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The Emperor returned from Moscow a few days ago, where, it is said, he was engaged in suppressing the insurrections of the serfs. By persuasion and arms, as the enemies of the liberation, the proprietors themselves, or [Page 304] their agents, were making them believe that they were at once freed from all claims of work, &c., and this was done, no doubt, to prejudice the great work of the Emperor. But it seems that everywhere the disaffection has been subdued, and very strong demonstrations of respect have been, here and at Moscow, by the peasants towards the Emperor, warmly exhibited.
On the 16th (28th) instant I called upon, by agreement, Prince Alexander Gortchacow III, minister of foreign affairs to his Majesty the Emperor. He received me in a cordial way, shaking hands, and causing me to be seated. He led the conversation by saying the Emperor having been advised of my arrival, had ordered him to express his continued friendship for the United States government; that he had heard with regret of our civil troubles, and hoped the Union a speedy triumph. I responded that no change of administration had changed the relations of the United States and Russia, whose natural position and traditionary friendship must ever keep them in the closest harmony, and that I was ordered by the President thus to express myself to his Imperial Majesty; that I was ordered also to explain at the proper time the causes of our difficulties at home; that at present I would only say that the rebel slaveholders made war upon us because, following in the wake of advancing civilization, we would not allow our government to be longer the propagandist of slavery. I stated how the slave States were divided, and my hope that the rebellion would be soon crushed out. To this he attentively listened, and responded that he hoped it would be most “speedily done.”
Upon my giving him my office copy of the letter of credence, he said he would see the Emperor, and let me know at my hotel when I would be received by his Majesty. He also asked after Pickens, my family, and other things in a familiar way, when I was dismissed by again shaking hands. I have given the substance of the interview, and the words as near as may be, in order that you may for yourself draw your own conclusions. *
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According to the rule here, I day before yesterday called upon M. de Tchetestcheff, master of ceremonies. My visit was yesterday returned, and I now await further orders from the Emperor as to the presentation, of the which I will write you the particulars before sending you this. * *
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Prince Gortchacow having returned my visit, gave me notice that the Emperor would receive me on Sunday, at twelve o’clock, the 2d (14th) July, at Peterhoff. So on to-day (14th July) I and my suite, Green Clay, William G. Goodloe, and T. Williams, private secretaries, set out at ten a. m. for Peterhoff by rail, the “geraut” of ceremonies meeting us at the station here, and three of the Emperor’s carriages meeting us at the depot and taking us to the palace. We then witnessed a review of cavalry and infantry by the Emperor, and after it was over, at a little after one o’clock, we were sent for by the Emperor, and, as my secretary was told by the “master of ceremonies,” who is the regular introducer, I was conducted into the presence by Prince Gortchacow, who, though the Emperor spoke (English?) American mostly, acted as interpreter as to the set speech, which was in Russian.
The Emperor received me standing, advancing and saying he was pleased to see me. I then went through, very briefly, the usual forms of such speeches, adding, that I ventured, by the orders of my government, to say further to him that the President of the United States and the American people looked with profound sympathy and admiration upon the great reforms [Page 305] which he was attempting in his empire, which, without considering the philanthropic view of the movement, by building up a middle class, be would add more to the physical power of his country than did Peter the Great by consolidation and extension; and that the success of his enterprise would, in the estimation of the western nations, place him even above that great ruler.
The Emperor seemed much gratified and really moved by this last remark, which he saw was from us a real appreciation of his great undertaking, and not an unmeaning compliment. He then said he would respond through the prince; and, turning to him, he spoke with very decided earnestness. In response to the first part of my address, he repeated the usual words. To the last he said, in conclusion, that “so much the more had he hopes of the perpetuity of the friendship between the two nations now, that in addition to all former ties we were bound together by a common sympathy in the common cause of emancipation.” I give nearly the exact words. Among other things he expressed a very earnest wish that we would speedily recover the integrity of the Union, The more formal speech was done through the prince; the rest was spoken to me directly in English. He asked me what late advices I had; and when I told him how many of the border slave States were standing by the Union, he expressed great satisfaction. He wanted to know if I thought England would interfere. I told him we did not care what she did; that her interference would tend to unite us the more; that we fought the south with reluctance; we were much intermarried, and of a common history; but that the course of England had aroused our sensibilities towards her in no very pleasant manner. The Emperor seemed to like my seeming defiance of old “John Bull” very much. He wanted to know if I was a relative of Henry Clay, and what was my military rank. I told him I was only a distant relation of Clay, and that I wore the uniform of an American colonel, which rank I had filled in my own country. The Emperor then wished that our personal relations would advance the national friendship, as our former ministers had so succeeded; inquired after Mr. Appleton’s health; regretted that he had not seen him before his departure; shook hands with me; when I accompanied him into the ante-chamber, and introduced to him my three attachés, to whom he made pleasant remarks, when, shaking hands once more, he dismissed us.
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I have already made this letter too long; but I cannot conclude without saying how much more and more I value the great and inestimable blessings of our government, and how I trust in God that no compromise will be made of the great idea for which we have so long fought, but that General Scott, following out the programme of Mr. Lincoln’s inaugural, will slowly and surely subdue the rebellion, “stock, lock, and gun-barrel,” “hook and line, bob and sinker,” and that we may be all spared to see once more that glorious old banner restored. “Liberty and union, now and forever—one and inseparable.”
I have the honor to be your most obedient servant,
Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., Washington, D. C.