[Extracts.]

Mr. Clay to Mr. Seward

No. 64.]

Sir: To-day his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine, who has just returned from abroad, sent his aide de-camp to invite me to make him an informal visit. I was received in the most cordial manner and without any ceremony. He said he desired to thank me for the good understanding which existed between the Emperor and the United States, which was owing to my good offices and friendship, and he desired also in person to return, through me, his grateful appreciation of the cordial reception of the flussi an fleet in America. I replied that the debt of gratitude was from us to his Imperial Majesty; * * * * * that our people fully appreciated this fact; and though we could not rival Europe, perhaps, in the magnificence of our public fêtes, we trusted that we had not been wanting in heart. He spoke again of how much their officers were gratified; complimented our navy—said Russia had imitated us and built ten monitors; that they performed well, and would be effective for defence and offence against all the nations bordering on the Baltic. He gave it as his opinion that the monitors, by increase of bulk, might be successful as sea-going vessels; but that caution was to be used, and experience should determine. He complimented also the gallantry of our naval officers, and especially Commodore Farragut. He then asked me about our affairs. I told him that Mr. Lincoln was re-elected, and that I thought it would discourage the south, and hasten and make sure the restoration of the Union; that the exhaustion of the south was proven by the fact that the arming of the slaves was freely spoken of; that this was equivalent to a threat to blow up the ship rather than surrender. He said that the blacks were treated with more equality there than in free States, and it did not seem so certain that they would abandon their masters. I replied that the southern regard for the negro and social equality with the blacks was only apparent; that slaves could sit with the families of masters and be indulged in some privileges which were denied them in the north, but that the poor white of the south was more intolerant of slave or negro association than even the northerners; that human nature was about the same, and blacks could hardly be supposed so foolish as to fight against their liberators to retain their wives and children in slavery.

The grand duke then expressed his fears that a “reconstruction” of hostile States after conquest would add no strength to our nation. This idea of difficulty I told him was altogether English and European; that those interested in slaves could not be more than one and a half million at the most liberal count; that all the rest, white and black, were in interest opposed to slavery; and that we had only to break down the tyranny of the rebel masters, and then we found no difficulty in showing the masses their true interests; that as a matter of fact the reconstructed States were more loyal than many free States, for they had felt the evils of slavery and secession more.

At these views the grand duke seemed much gratified, as they evidently were new to him, and he seemed pleased that our future strength would not be impaired by the rebellion, for the English view prevails all over Europe that we shall be permanently injured by the war even if the Union is restored, as our great resources are not known.

His Imperial Highness thanked me for the brochure account of my reception by the Russian fleet, which I had sent him; and once more wishing that our [Page 365] friendship, which “was based upon substantial interests,” should be lasting, he took leave of me.* * * * * * *

I am your obedient servant,

C. M. CLAY.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.