CHAPTER XVII

Lincoln’s Wise Statesmanship—­The Mason and Slidell Affair—­Complications with England—­Lincoln’s “Little Story” on the Trent Affair—­Building of the “Monitor”—­Lincoln’s Part in the Enterprise—­The President’s First Annual Message—­Discussion of the Labor Question—­A President’s Reception in War Time—­A Great Affliction—­Death in the White House—­Chapters from the Secret Service—­A Morning Call on the President—­Goldwin Smith’s Impressions of Lincoln—­Other Notable Tributes.

In November of 1861 occurred one of the most important and perilous episodes of the war; one whose full significance was not understood, except by a few cool heads, until long afterwards.  Two influential Southern politicians, Mason and Slidell, had been sent by the Confederate Government as Commissioners to Great Britain and France, to try to secure the recognition of the Confederacy; and while on board the British steamer “Trent” they were taken prisoners by the U.S. steamer “San Jacinto,” and were brought to Washington.  Great Britain loudly protested against what she regarded as an unwarrantable seizure of passengers under the British flag, and for a time excitement ran high and war with England seemed almost inevitable.  Fortunately for our country, the controversy was amicably settled by the surrender of the prisoners, without any sacrifice of the dignity of the Government of the United States.  As stated by “Hosea Biglow,”—­

    We gave the critters back, John,
      Cos Abraham thought ’t was right;
    It wa’nt your bullyin’ clack, John,
      Provokin’ us to fight.

The statesmanship displayed by our Government throughout this difficult affair was of the highest order.  Credit for it has been given to Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State, by whom the correspondence and negotiations were conducted.  Few men could have managed these details better; yet the course that was so happily determined on was undoubtedly due to the good sense and shrewd wisdom of the President.  He not only dictated the policy to be followed by Mr. Seward in his despatches to the American Minister in London, but the more important documents were revised and materially altered by Lincoln’s own hand.  His management of the Trent affair alone, it has been said, would suffice to establish his reputation as the ablest diplomatist of the war.  Coming, as it did, at a time when Lincoln was overwhelmed with the burden of home affairs, it showed the surprising resources of his character.  The readiness and ability with which he met this perilous emergency, in a field in which he had had absolutely no experience or preparation, was equaled only by his cool courage and self-reliance in following a course radically opposed to the prevailing public sentiment, to the views of Congress, and to the advice of his own Cabinet.  The Secretary of the Navy had hastened to approve officially the act of Captain Wilkes, commander of