Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884 to Edwin DeLeon

Benjamin, Confederate Secretary of State, writes to DeLeon, a Confederate agent in Paris. Discusses previous correspondence from DeLeon, instructs him to write more often, and orders him "never to give your letters to private hands. Send them by the English mail to Major Norman Walker at Bermuda or to Mr. Heyliger at Nassau and they will reach me in thirty or fourty days without risk or trouble." States "In relation to your remarks about the withdrawal of our Commissioners from Europe, it is only necessary to say that there were other than diplomatic matters entrusted to them, which could be known only to the government, and which rendered their presence abroad necessary to the public interest... Recent developments have evinced that France is ready and desirous of recognizing us and that Great Britain remains the sole obstacle in the face of the world to the restoration of peace on this Continent, for none can be blind to the futility of the pretext that recognition would exasperate the North... our simple recognition by the European powers would put an end to the War..." Mentions the withdrawal of Mr. Mason from London (possibly James M. Mason, Confederate commissioner to Great Britain and France). Instructs DeLeon to send one letter per month relating Confederate interests in Europe.