[Civil War]:

$325 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

[CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JAMES MASON AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DURING THE CIVIL WAR]. The Confederacy wanted Britain's recognition as a separate and independent country. Britain, which relied heavily on Southern cotton, naturally favored the Confederacy, (secretly helping to arm warships), but was reluctant to grant official recognition. James Mason was selected as the Confederate representative to England, and his mission was clear. These documents reflect his attempts to secure recognition for the Confederacy as well as other concerns.NORTH AMERICA. No. 2. (1863). CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. MASON RESPECTING THE BLOCKADE, AND RECOGNITION OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES. Contains much information on ships entered and cleared at blockaded ports as well as a letter subtly asking the British government to please continue trade despite the blockade. Also has copies of correspondence between Mason and Earl Russell, in which Mason openly tries to convince Russell to recognize the Confederacy (Russell seems unreceptive, refusing personal interviews and writing terse responses).NORTH AMERICA. No. 14. (1864.) CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. MASON, COMMISSIONER OF THE SO-STYLED CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Correspondence about various matters: sinking of a steamer in British waters, removal of British consuls, etc. An extract from the Richmond Whig shows the frustration felt by the Confederacy: "to be sure, we know that we have no national existence outside of our own fond imaginations, and that in t

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