Details
BUCHANAN, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Buchanan"), as U. S. Minister to Great Britain, to Carroll Spence, London, 15 February 1855. 4 pages, 4to, losses repaired at top left corner of both leaves, catching two words, glue remnants along edges.
A REMARKABLE SURVEY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE DURING THE CRIMEAN WAR, ranging over everything from the ambitions and resentments of the French, to England's political problems, and the "mischief" of the Know Nothing Party back home. "France & England may & doubtless will prevent the Czar from 'annexing' Constantinople," Buchanan tells Spence, "but they have not the power to bestow vitality upon the carcass which you have so graphically described." Buchanan thinks, "contrary to the general opinion here," that the Russian "Emperor sincerely desires peace. I know him to be a very able man, & he must perceive that he has nothing to gain by the present war." He thinks Louis Napoleon may lose "his dynasty" if he fails to take Sebastopol. "In our country, there is a strong current of public opinion against France & England; but this simply because the people apprehend that the success of the Allies would cause them improperly to interfere with us on the other side of the Atlantic." Buchanan thinks there's little basis to such fears as far as England is concerned, but "in regard to the Empire of the French, I do not feel quite so confident. Although in this country they are jealous of our progress, especially in commerce & manufactures, yet a strong feeling of self-congratulation exists that they have given birth to such a nation as we are." Turning to his own country he says: "The news from the United States is politically not encouraging. The Know Nothings cannot last; but before their fall, they may do much mischief. I intend to return home, God willing, in the beginning of October, & after a somewhat stormy political life, pass the remainder of my days in tranquility & retirement..."
A REMARKABLE SURVEY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE DURING THE CRIMEAN WAR, ranging over everything from the ambitions and resentments of the French, to England's political problems, and the "mischief" of the Know Nothing Party back home. "France & England may & doubtless will prevent the Czar from 'annexing' Constantinople," Buchanan tells Spence, "but they have not the power to bestow vitality upon the carcass which you have so graphically described." Buchanan thinks, "contrary to the general opinion here," that the Russian "Emperor sincerely desires peace. I know him to be a very able man, & he must perceive that he has nothing to gain by the present war." He thinks Louis Napoleon may lose "his dynasty" if he fails to take Sebastopol. "In our country, there is a strong current of public opinion against France & England; but this simply because the people apprehend that the success of the Allies would cause them improperly to interfere with us on the other side of the Atlantic." Buchanan thinks there's little basis to such fears as far as England is concerned, but "in regard to the Empire of the French, I do not feel quite so confident. Although in this country they are jealous of our progress, especially in commerce & manufactures, yet a strong feeling of self-congratulation exists that they have given birth to such a nation as we are." Turning to his own country he says: "The news from the United States is politically not encouraging. The Know Nothings cannot last; but before their fall, they may do much mischief. I intend to return home, God willing, in the beginning of October, & after a somewhat stormy political life, pass the remainder of my days in tranquility & retirement..."