Mr. Benjamin to Mr. Mason, October 28, 1862

Mr. Benjamin to Mr. Mason.

Sir: Since my No. 7, of 26th ultimo, I have had
the pleasure of receiving your Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17, dated,
respectively, 30th July, 5th August, 18th September, and 18th September.
The two latter were received by special messenger, who reached Richmond
on the 21st instant. The two former were delivered by Mr. Fearn, who did
not arrive till 25th instant.

The contents of Nos. 14 and 15 are so voluminous, (and they were
accompanied by others of equal bulk from Mr. Slidell,) that I have not
yet been able to confer with the president in relation to them, and
shall therefore defer replying, the more especially as I shall have
another opportunity of forwarding despatches in a very few days.

The arrangements made by the bearer of despatches 16 and 17, for
facilitating intercourse between us, have been approved, and will be
continued as long as successful. The details will be explained to you by
the bearer of this despatch, (Mr. George Sanders,) in person.

The subject of a loan, based on cotton certificates, has been fully
considered, and you will receive
herewith a communication from the secretary of the treasury informing
you of the conclusions reached by us after much deliberation. I
communicated to the secretary your tender of services in connexion with
this matter, and he requests me to express his thanks and to solicit
your aid and co-operation in any movements that may be made to secure
success by Mr. Spence, to whom the government has confided the business,
in consequence chiefly of your recommendation. He had been appointed to
take charge of other negotiations before the receipt of your last
despatches.

The president desires me to express his approval and satisfaction with
your conduct in assuming, under the circumstances, the responsibility of
making the arrangements necessary for the success of Captain Sinclair in
his arrangements for building a ship.

It is gratifying to perceive that you had, as was confidently
anticipated, reviewed your impressions, and determined not to withdraw
from London without the previous instructions of the president. Your
correspondence with Earl Russell shows with what scant courtesy you have
been treated, and exhibits a marked contrast between the conduct of the
English and French statesmen now in office, in their intercourse with
foreign agents, eminently discreditable to the former. It is lamentable
that, at this late period in the nineteenth century, a nation so
enlightened as Great Britain should have failed yet to discover that a
principal cause of the dislike and hatred towards England, of which
complaints are rife in her Parliament and in her press, is the offensive
arrogance of some of her public men. The contrast is striking between
the polished courtesy of Mr. Thouvenel and the rude incivility of Earl
Russell. Your determination to submit to these annoyances in the service
of your country, and to overlook personal slights, while hope remains
that your continued presence in England may benefit our cause, cannot
fail to meet the warm approval of your government. I refrain, however,
from further comment on the contents of your despatches till the
attention of the president, (now concentrated on efforts to repair the
ill effects of the failure of the Kentucky campaign,) can be directed to
your correspondence with Earl Russell.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,