Lincoln's Diplomacy

[Eva Elisabeth]

(01-14-2014 09:18 PM)JMadonna Wrote:  

(01-14-2014 09:00 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  In that book ("One War at a time") D. Mahin writes: " A last desperate effort to obtain European recognition in return for a vague promise to free the slaves was made (by the Confederate government) in early 1865."

Unfortunatelly he gives no sources for this statement. Does anyone know any details (which persons were involved/addressed; what exactly was proposed) or original sources?

Judah Benjamin was the man. He was desperately trying to convince Davis that slaves were needed to fill Lee's defense lines around Richmond. By giving them freedom for their services they would also address the biggest objection Europe had against supporting them.

Davis made the proposal to Congress who were aghast at the proposition. It was too little too late.

My impression is that at least Britain anyway (and definitely after the Emancipation Declaration was issued) wouldn't have recognized the Confederates as independent states (although Britain favored separation because it would have weakened North America's power) unless the North did.

Also I gain the impression that Benjamin was the rather lucid thinker compared to Davis, could that be?