[Extracts.]
Mr. Marsh to Mr.
Seward.
No. 40.]
Legation of the United, States,
Turin,
April 4, 1862.
Sir: * * * * * *
I saw Garibaldi the other day for the first time. The conversation turned
principally on American affairs, and he manifested the same warm
interest he has always shown in the triumph of the Union cause, and the
same high respect for the wisdom of the present administration which I
have the pleasure of hearing expressed in every quarter with which my
position brings me into relation.
* * * * * * * *
The recent victories of the Union forces over the rebel troops have been
received with much satisfaction in Italy, and those branches of industry
[Page 580]
which had suffered from
the stagnation of American trade—the silk manufacture, especially—are
rapidly reviving in the hope of the restoration of peace and commercial
activity. The news of these successes, I learn, have produced a marked
effect upon the feelings and opinions of very many Americans, resident
in Europe, who have been much annoyed with scruples as to the lawfulness
of the “war which the present administration is waging against the
South.” I learn from Mr. Powers and others, loyal Americans at Florence,
that there have been some remarkable instances of change of position on
this question, in that city, within the last few days.
I am, sir, with high respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Translation.]
Baron Ricasoli to the Chevalier Bertinatti.
Mons. Minister: I have just received your
despatch of December 30, and thank you for the intelligence you give
on the affair of the Trent.
I need not tell you with what satisfaction the government and people
of Italy have received the news of the happy solution of a question
which, for a moment, put in doubt the peace of the world.
Attached by the closest ties of sympathy to the two nations which
have so highly exalted in the two hemispheres the glory of the Anglo
Saxon race, the royal government was justly apprehensive of the
consequences of the strife which might have arisen between England
and North America.
Such strife in effect, whatever the issue, could have had only
results adverse to civilization and to the general prosperity; it
would have shaken confidence in the principle of “self-government” which serves as a common basis for the
political institutions of the Anglo Saxon race, and have brought on,
if protracted, complications from which the whole world would have
suffered.
Moreover, although we should in preference fix our attention on the
questions which touch upon the accomplishment of the great work of
Italian unity, we were far from being indifferent to the discussion
which had sprung up between America and England.
You are not ignorant, Mr. Minister, that the royal government has
always been attached to the principle of the freedom of the seas. At
the Congress of Paris it united with eagerness in the declaration of
April 30, 1856, and hoped that declaration, as soon as it could have
the assent of the United States of America, would, in time, become
the point of departure for fresh progress in the practical operation
of international law. Knowing the bold and persevering efforts which
the government at Washington had made for fifty years past to defend
the rights of neutrals, we hesitated to believe that it desired to
change its character all at once, and become the champion of
theories which history has shown to be calamitous, and which public
opinion has condemned forever.
By continuing to remain attached to principles whose defence has
constituted one of the causes of the glory of North America, Mr.
Lincoln and his ministry have given an example of wisdom and
moderation which will have the best results for America as well as
for the European nations.
[Page 581]
Be pleased, then, earnestly to felicitate, in the name of the King’s
government, the President and his ministry, by giving, if requested,
a copy of this despatch.
Accept, Mr. Minister, the assurance of my very distinguished
consideration.
The Chevalier BertinattiMinister of Italy at Washington
