THE SINKING OF THE CONFEDERATE PRIVATEER, "ALABAMA," BY THE "KEARSARGE," OFF THE HARBOR OF CHERBOURG, FRANCE Painting by J. O. Davidson 1869-1873 poleon could not mistake the animus and meaning of Seward's communication, especially when it became known that General Sheridan had been dispatched to Texas with a large force of Civil War veterans for purposes which were well understood. The French army was accordingly withdrawn in February, 1867, leaving poor Maximilian, who had been made the dupe of the French emperor, to shift for himself. The Mexicans did not want him, and a few weeks later an army of Liberals under Juarez, which had been supplied with thirty thousand American muskets by order of General Sheridan,28 captured and executed him, in June, 1867, under circumstances which called forth general sympathy for the unfortunate Archduke. Thus a valuable lesson was taught the European nations. They were made to understand as they had never understood before that the Monroe Doctrine was not merely an empty declaration, but a living policy to be rigorously enforced at all times and under all circumstances, as occasion demanded although it is a singular fact that the Monroe Doctrine, while constantly appealed to by the newspapers and politicians, seems never to have been mentioned in any official dispatch from the United States Government.29 Another of Seward's diplomatic triumphs, often called his greatest service to his country, was his conclusion of a treaty with Russia for the cession of Alaska. As far back as Polk's administration the United States had offered the Russian government $5,000,000 for the territory, but before an answer was given Polk had retired from the Presidency and the matter was dropped. Since the beginning of the century Alaska had been governed practically by the Russian-American Company, whose charter expired in 1861. On account of the monopolistic character of the company and its unsatisfactory treatment of the natives, the Russian Government hesitated to renew its privileges. To provide the territory with an organized colonial government meant the addition of a large expense to the Russian budget, for a country, moreover, which in case of war with the United States or Great Britain it would be impossible to defend. In view of these circumstances the Czar decided to part with Alaska if a fair price could be obtained. In February, 1867, his minister at Washington, Baron Stoeckel, offered it to the United States for $10,000,000. Seward 28 Sheridan's "Memoirs," vol. ii. p. 224. 1869-1873 thought $5,000,000 a reasonable price, but after a brief discussion they compromised on $7,200,000. On the evening of March 27, 1867, while Seward was enjoying a game of whist, the Russian minister called to inform him of the receipt of a dispatch announcing the Czar's acceptance and suggested that the treaty be prepared and signed the next day. Seward replied: "Why wait till to-morrow, Mr. Stoeckel? Let us make the treaty to-night." The necessary clerks were called in, the treaty was drawn up and by four o'clock in the morning it was completed and ready to be laid before the Senate, which was done a few hours later, to the great surprise of every member except Sumner, who knew of what had taken place.30 The treaty, however, did not meet with general popular favor. Although a vast area of 577,000 square miles had been acquired, it was popularly believed to be only a dreary frozen region of polar bears and glaciers and inhabited only by savages. It seemed an utter waste of money to buy such an inhospitable country. But there was one consideration which probably turned the scales in favor of ratification; namely, the friendly attitude of Russia toward the United States during the Civil War. She refused Napoleon's proposition of intervention in 1862, and in the following year sent a fleet to America on a friendly visit - not to aid the United States in case of war with France or Great Britain, as is often asserted.31 It was largely out of gratitude to Russia, therefore, that her offer to sell Alaska was accepted, although Seward and Sumner fully appreciated its enormous strategic and economic value to the United States. The treaty was ratified with only two dissenting votes, and the House, after much opposition, made the appropriation. The purchase removed a possible source of dispute between the two countries, since it put an end to Russian dominion on the American continent. The price paid was then considered large, but in view of the valuable fisheries and furs, as well as the immense natural resources of the country subsequently discovered, there is no longer any doubt that it was an excellent bargain. The receipts of the government from the sealing industry of the Pribylov Islands alone have amounted to more than $12,000,000.32 30 Bancroft, "Life of Seward," vol. ii. p. 477. 31 Read O. W. Holmes' poem, "Who was Our Friend when the World was Our Foe?" 32 Foster, "Century of American Diplomacy,” p. 410. 1869-1873 The purchase of Alaska was the beginning of a general but premature expansion movement which followed the Civil War. Indeed, Seward declared that he wished to see the Union extended from the Pole to the Tropics. Before Lincoln's death negotiations had been opened, and later a treaty was concluded with Denmark, for the cession of the Danish West India Island of St. Thomas for $7,500,000; but the treaty, although approved by a plebiscite of the inhabitants and ratified by the Danish Riksdag, did not meet the approval of the Senate, partly on account of a sudden change of sentiment as to the value of the island as a naval station, caused by a destructive earthquake and hurricane on the island while the treaty was pending, and partly because of a feeling that no further acquisitions of foreign territory were desirable. After the rejection of the treaty the House adopted a resolution declaring that "in the present financial condition of the country any further purchases of territory are inexpedient, and this House will hold itself under no obligation to vote money to pay for any such purpose. An effort was then made by President Grant to bring about the annexation of the Dominican Republic, the " African Republic" of the Ostend Manifesto, comprising the eastern portion of the Island of San Domingo, altogether about 28,000 square miles in area. The President took the greatest interest in the project and seemed unable to understand why anyone should oppose it. 9 33 In May, 1869, he sent one of his private secretaries, General Babcock, in a man-of-war to San Domingo to inquire into the condition and resources of the island. In September Babcock, acting without instructions, concluded a treaty with one Baez for the annexation of the island, the United States to assume the Dominican debt of $1,500,000. The President transmitted the treaty to the Senate, with a message setting forth the resources of the island in exaggerated terms, as was then thought, but which it is now believed were within the limits of reason. But the project aroused strong opposition in the Senate, partly on account of the belief among some of the Senators that the negotiation had been tainted with corruption, and partly because the little negro republic, then as now a hot-bed of revolution, was not wanted. Besides, the manner of negotiation, doubt as to the authority of Baez, and the arbitrary use of the navy by Babcock added much to the 33" Congressional Globe," 1867, p. 792. |