“Monsieur Mercier observed that the object of vital importance to France, and to England also, as he supposed, was to put an end, as soon as possible, to the blockade, and generally to a state of things which caused so grievous an interruption of the trade between Europe and this country.  It was, he said, possible that he might hasten the attainment of this object by conferring personally with the Secession leaders.  He should frankly tell them that to all appearances their cause was desperate; that their Armies were beaten in all quarters; and that the time had arrived when they ought to come to some arrangement, which would put an end to a state of affairs ruinous to themselves and intolerable to Europe.  It was useless to expect any countenance from the European Powers.  Those Powers could but act on their avowed principles.  They would recognize any people which established its independence, but they could not encourage the prolongation of a fruitless struggle.

“Monsieur Mercier thought that if the Confederates were very much discouraged by their recent reverses, such language from the Minister of a great European Power might be a knock-down blow (’Coup d’assommoir’ was the expression he used) to them.  It might induce them to come to terms with the North.  At all events it might lead to an Armistice, under which trade might be immediately resumed.  He had (he told me) mentioned to Mr. Seward his notion of using this language, and had added that of course as a Minister accredited to the United States, and visiting Richmond with the consent of the United States Government, he could not speak to the Southern men of any other terms for ending the War than a return to the Union.

“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