"Monsieur Mercier proceeded to say that Mr. Seward entirely
approved of the language he thus proposed to hold, and had
authorized him to say to the Southern leaders, not of course
from the United States Government, but from him Mr. Seward,
personally, that they had no spirit of vengeance to
apprehend, that they would be cordially welcomed back to
their Seats in the Senate, and to their due share of
political influence. Mr. Seward added that he had not said so
much to any other person, but that he would tell Monsieur
Mercier that he was willing to risk his own political station
and reputation in pursuing a conciliatory course towards the
South, that he was ready to make this his policy and to stand
or fall by it."
This was certainly sufficiently strong language to have pleased the
American Secretary of State, and if actually used at Richmond to have
constituted Mercier a valuable Northern agent. It cannot be regarded as
at all in harmony with Mercier's previous opinions, nor as expressive of
Thouvenel's views. Lyons was careful to refrain from much comment on the
matter of Mercier's proposed representations at Richmond. He was more
concerned that the trip was to be made at all; was in fact much opposed
to it, fearing that it would appear like a break in that unity of
French-British attitude which was so desirable.
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