Chapter IV (2)

The strengthening the British fleet in this quarter was regarded
as a harmless menace. Our people rather admired the folly of the
measure than indulged any angry feelings on account of it. The
comments of the British press and the miserable pretexts got up as
an excuse for that blunder have provoked some resentment, which
the course of the British cabinet in regard to the Central
American questions and recruiting in the United States will not
abate.

We are willing—more—anxious to be on friendly terms with our
“transatlantic cousins,” but they must recollect that we do not
believe in the doctrine of primogeniture. The younger branch of
the family has equal rights with the elder.

I am unable to say to you one word in regard to your successor.
Who he will be and when he will be sent out, I think no living man
now knows.

Yours truly,
W. L. MARCY.

[TO MR. MARCY.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, }
(Private.) LONDON, January 11, 1856. }

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 23d ultimo, and am greatly
disappointed neither to have received the message nor any inkling
of what it contains. Long expectation has blunted the edge of
curiosity here, and it will not make the impression it would have
done four weeks ago.

I shall expect your answer to Lord C. with much interest, and
shall do all in my power to give it its proper effect with his
lordship. For my own part, I should have been inclined to cut the
Gordian knot as soon as I possessed clear proof of Mr. Crampton’s
complicity, and I am persuaded this was expected at the time in
this country. No doubt, however, yours is the more prudent course.

You say that if I can settle the Central American difficulty, and
you the recruitment question, they may blow what blast they please
on any of their organs. That you can perform the latter there can
be no doubt; the former is a sheer impossibility during the
administration of Lord Palmerston.[14] Any attempt of the kind
will only more deeply commit this government and render it more
difficult for a succeeding government to do us justice. It is
still my impression there will be peace in Europe before the
season for opening the next campaign; and this will leave England
in such a state of preparation for war as she has never been at
any former period. This may act as a stimulus to the reckless and
arrogant propensities of Lord P., which have been so often
manifested by him in his intercourse with other nations.

I have more than once had occasion to admire your self-possession
and “sang-froid,” but never was it more strikingly illustrated
than in the concluding and, as it were, incidental sentence of
your letter: “I do not learn that the President has his mind
turned towards any one for your successor, or for secretary of
legation.” This is cool. I had confidently expected that
immediately after Mr. Appleton’s arrival in Washington, I should
hear of the appointment of my successor, and I felt assured that
if there had been need, you would have “_turned_” the President’s
mind towards a subject in which I felt so deep an interest.

As I have on more than one occasion informed you, I do believe
that had it been possible for the new minister to be here for a
fortnight before my departure this would have been greatly to his
benefit, and perhaps to that of the country. This is now
impossible. My nephew left me yesterday for Naples and Home, and I
was truly sorry not to be able to accompany him, as he speaks
French like a Parisian, and Italian tolerably well, and would,
therefore, have been highly useful. I am again left with no person
except Mr. Moran (who, to do him justice, performs his duties to
my entire satisfaction), and yet the President’s mind has not been
“_turned_ towards any one,” even for secretary of legation. I
hope, at least, that a secretary may arrive before the 12th
February, as it would have a better appearance to leave the
legation in his charge than in that of the consul.

You seem to take it hard that your former assistant should be
acting in concert with Don Magnifico Markoe, still one of your
lieutenants, in favor of the nomination of Mr. Dallas, and well
you may. Such ingratitude towards yourself is a proof of the
depravity of human nature. But there is one consolation. As
somebody says: “The vigor of the bow does not equal the venom of
the shaft.” I misquote, and don’t recollect the precise language.

I still think there will be peace. France and Turkey both desire
it, and Russia needs it. John Bull is still for war, but this only
to recover his prestige. He has incurred immense expense in
getting ready and don’t want to throw his money away. If peace
should remove Lord P., this would be a most happy consummation.
Had Mrs. M. been in your place, the President’s mind would ere
this have been “_turned_” towards somebody for my successor.
Please to present her my kindest regards, and believe me to be,

Yours very respectfully, etc.,

Footnote 14:

Lord Palmerston had then recently become premier in place of Lord
Aberdeen.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, }
LONDON, January 18, 1856. }

I have an hour ago received your despatch of the 28th ultimo, and
have only had time to give it a cursory perusal. I have not yet
read the despatch of Lord Clarendon to which it is an answer. It
appears to me to be of characteristic clearness and ability, and
its tone is excellent. Still its conclusion will startle this
government. I have had an appointment with Lord Clarendon
postponed more than once, on account of the dangerous illness of
his mother. She died on Sunday morning last, and his lordship
informed me through his private secretary that as soon after the
event as possible he would appoint a time for our meeting.

The Central American questions are well and ably stated in the
message received two or three days ago. I know from reliable
authority that Lord Palmerston “has very strong views on the
subject.” The _Times_ is a mighty power in the State; and I have
adopted means, through the agency of a friend, to prevent that
journal from committing itself upon the questions until after its
conductors shall have an opportunity of examining the
correspondence. These means have hitherto proved effectual. The
correspondence has now arrived, and the _Times_ may indicate its
views to-morrow morning. The tone of the other journals has not
been satisfactory; and the _Daily Telegraph_ has been evidently
bought over, and become hostile to the United States within the
last four days, as you will perceive from the number which I send.
Should the _Times_ take ground against us, it is my purpose to
have an edition of that part of the message relating to Central
America, and the correspondence, published in pamphlet form, and
circulated among members of Parliament and other influential
persons. Should the expense be great, I may call upon you to pay
it out of the contingent fund.

A few hasty remarks upon the present condition of affairs in this
country. The Austrian proposals, as you will see by the papers,
have been accepted by the czar. This is distasteful to the British
people who have made vast preparations, at an enormous expense, to
recover their military and naval _prestige_ in the next campaign.
But peace is evidently desired by Louis Napoleon and the French,
by the Turks and by the Sardinians. It still continues to be my
opinion that peace will be made. In this state of affairs, the
British people being sore and disappointed and being better
prepared for war than they have ever been, Lord Palmerston, whose
character is reckless and his hostility to our country well known,
will most probably assume a high and defiant attitude on the
questions pending between the two countries. The British people
are now in that state of feeling that I firmly believe they could
be brought up to a war with the United States, _if they can be
persuaded that the territory in dispute belongs to themselves_.
This, absurd as it is, may be done through the agency of a press
generally, if not universally, hostile to us. I make these remarks
because you ought to know the truth and be prepared for the worst.
_Certainly not with a view of yielding one iota of our rights to
Great Britain or any other power. Most certainly not._

I understand from friends that it is now stated by British
individuals in conversation, how easy it would be for them in
their present state of preparation, and with our feeble navy, to
bring a war with us to a speedy and successful conclusion. In this
they would be wofully mistaken.

I have great hopes, however, that the peace will upset Lord
Palmerston. The session of Parliament will commence with a
powerful opposition against him.

Do contrive by some means to hasten the construction of a railroad
to the Pacific and to increase our navy. Such a road is as
necessary for war purposes as the construction of a fort to defend
any of our cities.

I have not time to write more before the closing of the bag.

I deeply regret to find that so late as the 3d of January you are
_unable_ to say one word to me in regard to my successor. For this
cause, I think I have good reason to complain.

With my kind regards always to Mrs. Marcy, I remain

Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—I ought not to forget to say that the President’s message has
received great commendation among enlightened people in this
country. I am sorry you did not inform me at an earlier period
that it was the President’s intention to demand the recall of Mr.
Crampton, etc., that I might have prepared them for such a result.

[TO NAHUM CAPEN, ESQ.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, }
LONDON, January 18, 1856 }

MY DEAR SIR:—

...... Many thanks for your friendly wishes. They are cordially
reciprocated. Your kindly feelings towards myself have doubtless
greatly magnified my popularity at home, but were the Presidency
within my reach, which I am far from believing, I might then
exclaim:

“Will fortune never come with both hands full?
She either gives a stomach and no food,
Or else a feast and takes away the stomach.”

I cannot yet say when I shall return home, but I expect by every
steamer to hear of the appointment of my successor. Indeed, I have
been greatly disappointed in being detained here so long. After my
relief it is my purpose to pay a brief visit to the continent. At
the latest, God willing, I expect to be at home some time in
April—possibly before the end of March.

Without a secretary of legation, my letters must be brief. For
this I know you will excuse me.

With my best wishes for your health and happiness, I remain
always,

Very respectfully, your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO MR. MARCY.]

LONDON, January 25, 1856.

MY DEAR SIR:—

From present appearances the Central American questions can lead
to no serious difficulties with England. Public opinion would here
seem to be nearly altogether in favor of our construction of the
treaty. Such I learn, is the conversation at the clubs and in
society; and with the _Times_, as well as the _Daily News_ on our
side, and this in accordance with public sentiment, we might
expect a speedy settlement of these questions, if any statesman
except Lord Palmerston were at the head of the government. He
cannot long remain in power, I think, after peace shall have been
concluded. I expect to go to Paris after the 12th of February, and
may write to you from there, should I have a conversation with
Louis Napoleon. I shall see Lord Clarendon early next week, and
you may expect by the next steamer to hear the result of my
reading your despatch to his lordship.

I still continue firm in the belief that peace will be concluded,
though it is manifestly distasteful to the British people.

I met Sir Charles Wood, the first lord of the admiralty, at dinner
the other day, and had some fun with him about sending the fleet
to our shores. He said they had only sent a few old hulks, and
with such vessels they could never have thought of hostilities
against such a power as the United States; and asked me if I had
ever heard that one of them approached our shores. I might have
referred him to the Screw Blocks. The conversation was altogether
agreeable and afforded amusement to the persons near us at the
table. He said: “Buchanan, if you and I had to settle the
questions between the two governments, they would be settled
speedily.” I know not whether there was any meaning beneath this
expression.

I consider this mission as a sort of waif abandoned by the
Government. Not a word even about a secretary of legation, though
Mr. Appleton left me more than two months ago. With the amount of
business to transact, and the number of visits to receive, I have
to labor like a drayman. Have you no bowels?

The reports, concerning our officers, received from the Crimea,
are highly complimentary and satisfactory, and the people here are
much gratified with the letter received from the Secretary of War,
thanking General Simpson for his kindness and attention towards
them.

Before I go away I intend to get up a letter from Lord Clarendon
and yourself, manifesting your sense of the manner in which Mr.
Bates performed his duty as umpire. As he will accept no pay, it
is as little as you can do, to say, “thank you, sir.”

I am informed there is a publisher in London about to publish the
Central American correspondence in pamphlet form, believing it
will yield him a profit.

I have just received a letter from Mason, written in excellent
spirits, praising Mr. Wise, his new secretary. For poor me, this
is sour grapes. Never forgetting my friend, Mrs. Marcy,

I remain yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO GOVERNOR BIGLER.]

LONDON, February 12, 1856.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I did not receive your kind and friendly letter of the 21st ultimo
until last evening, and although oppressed by my public duties
to-day, I cannot suffer a steamer to depart without bearing you an
answer.

We had been friends for many years before our friendship was
suspended. The best course to pursue in renewing it again is to
suffer bygones to be bygones. In this spirit I cordially accept
your overtures, and shall forget everything unpleasant in our past
relations. When we meet again, let us meet as though no
estrangement had ever existed between us, and it shall not be my
fault if we should not remain friends as long as we both may live.
I wish you an honorable and useful career in the Senate.

I had hoped to return home with Miss Lane in October last, but a
succession of threatening incidents has occurred in the relations
between the two countries which has kept me here until the present
moment. And even now I do not know when I can leave my post. My
private business requires that I should be at home on the 1st of
April, but no pecuniary consideration can induce me to desert my
public duty at such a moment as the present. I trust, however,
that by the next steamer I shall hear of the appointment of my
successor.

In regard to the Presidency to which you refer, if my own wishes
had been consulted, my name should never again have been mentioned
in connection with that office. I feel, nevertheless, quite as
grateful to my friends for their voluntary exertions in my favor
during my absence, as though they had been prompted by myself. It
is a consolation which I shall bear with me to my dying day, that
the Democracy of my native state have sustained me with so much
unanimity. I shall neither be disappointed nor in the slightest
degree mortified should the Cincinnati Convention nominate another
person; but in the retirement, the prospect of which is now so
dear to me, the consciousness that Pennsylvania has stood by me to
the last will be a delightful reflection. Our friends Van Dyke and
Lynch have kept me advised of your exertions in my favor.

I am happy to inform you that within the last fortnight public
opinion has evidently undergone a change in favor of our country.
The best evidence of this is perhaps the friendly tone of Lord
Palmerston’s speech on Friday night last. His lordship has,
however, done me injustice in attributing to me expressions which
I never uttered, or rather which I never wrote, for all is in
writing. All I said in relation to the matter in question was that
I should have much satisfaction in transmitting a copy of Lord
Clarendon’s note to the Secretary of State. I never had a word
with Lord Palmerston on the subject.

The moment has arrived for closing the despatch bags, and I
conclude by assuring you of my renewed friendship.

Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO MR. MARCY.]

(Private and confidential.) LONDON, February 15, 1856.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 27th ultimo, and although the
contents are very acceptable, yet, like a lady’s letter, its pith
and marrow are in the two postscripts, informing me that Mr.
Dallas had been offered and would probably accept this mission. By
the newspapers I learn that his nomination had been sent to the
Senate. It is long since I have heard such welcome news. But there
is some alloy in almost every good, and in my own joy, I cannot
but sympathize with you for the loss of Mr. Markoe, who, the
papers say, is to be appointed the secretary of legation. Pray
bear it with Christian resignation.

I need not say that I shall do all I can to give Mr. Dallas a fair
start.

I have two things to request of you:

1. Although I have no doubt the omission of Lady Palmerston to
invite me to her first party was both intentional and significant
_at the time_, yet I should be unwilling to leave the fact on
record in a public despatch. I will, therefore, send you by the
next steamer the same despatch, number 119, of the 4th instant,
with that portion of it omitted. When you receive this, please to
withdraw the first despatch and keep it for me until my return.

2. Should you, in your friendly discretion, deem it advisable
under the circumstances, please to have an editorial prepared for
the _Union_, stating the facts in my last despatch (a duplicate of
which is now sent you), in relation to the remarks of Lord
Palmerston as to my expression of satisfaction with the apology
contained in Lord Clarendon’s note of the 16th July. I send you
with this a pamphlet which has just been published here on this
subject. I know the author. He is an Englishman of character.
Several members of Parliament have called upon me for information,
but my position requires that I should be very chary. I have
furnished some of them with copies of Hertz’s trial, among the
rest Mr. Roebuck. I met him afterwards in society, and it was
evident the pamphlet had strongly impressed him with Mr.
Crampton’s complicity. Still it is not to be denied that Lord
Palmerston’s speech on Friday last, in relation to this subject,
has made a strong impression here, as it has done on the
continent, judging by the facts stated in my despatch.

I know from the tone of your letter that you would consider me
in a state of mental delusion if I were to say how indifferent I
feel in regard to myself on the question of the next Presidency.
You would be quite a sceptic. One thing is certain that neither
by word nor letter have I ever contributed any support to
myself. I believe that the next Presidential term will perhaps
be the most important and responsible of any which has occurred
since the origin of the Government, and whilst no competent and
patriotic man to whom it may be offered should shrink from the
responsibility, yet he may well accept it as the greatest trial
of his life. Of course nothing can be expected from you but a
decided support of your chief.

Never forgetting my excellent and esteemed friend, whose influence
I shrewdly suspect put you in motion in regard to the appointment
of a successor, I remain, as always,

Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO HIS HOUSEKEEPER, “MISS HETTY.”]

LONDON, February 15, 1856.

MY DEAR MISS HETTY:—

Although greatly hurried to-day, having heavy despatches,
according to my rule I suffer not a steamer to pass without
answering your letters. Your last of the 26th ultimo was most
agreeable. You give me information concerning the neighbors which
I highly prize. Every thing about home is dear to me, and you can
scarcely realize how much pleasure I feel in the prospect of being
with you ere long, should a kind Providence spare my life and my
health. I have had no secretary of legation with me for several
months, and I have had to labor very hard. I hope to experience
the delight of being idle, or rather doing what I please, at
Wheatland.

After many vain entreaties, Mr. Dallas has at length been
appointed my successor, and I expect him here by the end of this
month. Whether I shall return immediately home, or go to Paris for
a few weeks, I have not yet determined. The former I would greatly
prefer; but March is a very rough month to pass the Atlantic, and
I suffer wretchedly from sea-sickness all the time. I am now,
thank God, in good health, and I do not wish to impair it on the
voyage......

I wish John Brenner joy in advance of his marriage. Remember me
kindly to Mr. Fahnestock and your sister, and to all our neighbors
and friends, and tell them how happy I shall be to meet them once
more. Remember me, also, most kindly, to Father Keenan......

With sincere and affectionate regard, I remain always your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO HIS NIECE, MRS. BAKER.]

LONDON, February 16, 1855.

MY DEAR MARY:—

It is not from the want of warm affection that I do not write to
you oftener. I shall ever feel the deepest interest in your
welfare and happiness. This omission on my part arises simply from
the fact that Harriet and yourself are in constant correspondence,
and through her you hear all the news from London, and I often
hear of you. I am rejoiced that you are contented and happy. May
you ever be so!

I have determined to return home in October next, God willing, and
to pass the remnant of my days, if Heaven should prolong them, in
tranquillity and retirement. After a long and somewhat stormy
public life, I enjoy this prospect as much as I have ever done the
anticipation of high office.

England is now in a state of mourning for the loss of so many of
her brave sons in the Crimea. The approaching “season” will, in
consequence, be dull, and this I shall bear with Christian
fortitude. The duller the better for me; but not so for Harriet.
She has enjoyed herself very much, and made many friends; but I do
not see any bright prospect of her marriage. This may probably be
her own fault. I confess that nothing would please me better than
to see her married, with her own hearty good will, to a worthy
man. Should I be called away, her situation would not by any means
be comfortable.

We are treated with much civility here, indeed with kindness,
according to the English fashion, which is not very cordial. Such
a thing as social visiting does not exist even among near friends.
You cannot “drop in of an evening” anywhere. You must not go to
any place unless you are expected, except it be a formal morning
call......

It is said that the queen is, and it is certain the British people
are, deeply mortified at the disasters of her troops in the
Crimea. If the men had died in battle this would have been some
consolation, but they have been sacrificed by the mismanagement of
officials in high authority. The contrast between the condition of
the French and English troops in the Crimea has deeply wounded
British pride. Indeed, I am sorry for it myself, because it would
be unfortunate for the world should England sink to the level of a
second-rate power. They call us their “cousins on the other side
of the Atlantic,” and it is certain we are kindred......

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.