Pickens, Francis Wilkinson, Governor of South Carolina

Letter of instruction signed ("F.W. Pickens"), 4 1/2 pages (12 1/2  x 8 in.; 318 x 204 mm) on lined paper embossed "York" in upper left corner, [Charleston, South Carolina, before February 9, 1861], to G. H. Rhett, docketed "As general directions in his guide in reference to matters trusted to him, F.W.P."; a few soil marks and offset from original rivet staples.

Letter of instruction signed ("F.W. Pickens"), 4 1/2 pages (12 1/2 x 8 in.; 318 x 204 mm) on lined paper embossed "York" in upper left corner, [Charleston, South Carolina, before February 9, 1861], to G. H. Rhett, docketed "As general directions in his guide in reference to matters trusted to him, F.W.P."; a few soil marks and offset from original rivet staples.
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Fascinating testimony to an unknown diplomatic effort by South Carolina to establish cotton and rice trade with France and invite the French emperor to take over land in the Mississippi Valley.

The South had the illusion that "King Cotton" would lure military aid and political sympathy around the world, especially from those like Britain and France who appeared to be so dependent on the fiber. Before the war started, the Confederates imposed a voluntary embargo on shipments, as a way of showing the Europeans just how important the South was, but the overseas textile manufacturers were able to subsist on the record crops of 1859 and 1860. The British manufacturers, in particular, welcomed the opportunity to diversify away from America, and had stockpiled cotton in 1860.  So, by the time they needed more cotton in 1863, it had become available from new sources in Egypt, India, and elsewhere.

In March of 1861 the CSA sent three representatives on a diplomatic mission to Russia, France, Britain, and Belgium to negotiate treaties of commerce but they were received coolly. The effort was renewed in early 1862 with the mission of Mason and Slidell.

But the present document shows that the Governor of South Carolina, Francis Wilkinson Pickens (1805-1869), was already trying to negotiate directly with the French Minister Edouard Henri Mercier (1816-1886) in Washington before the war had started. His agent was an unidentified member of the Rhett family of Charleston, whose most famous son was the outspoken Robert Barnwell Rhett (1800-1876).

In this document Governor Pickens is essentially providing Rhett with "talking points" to present to the Minister. In an effort to establish trade with France, he asks Rhett to assure the Minister that South Carolina produces an abundance of raw materials for French manufactures and "we will be in a very short time, a member of a new Southern Confederacy... South Carolina raises that fine staple of long or Sea-Island cotton, which is extensively used in the fine and costly manufactures of France ... You can also touch on the fact that a large colony originally settled in S. Carolina from France and their descendants constitute much of our character ... You can represent that the Southern People do not own much tonnage or shipping, and therefore would gladly encourage the vessels of France to enter our harbours on equal terms with any other powers." Pickens pledges that tariffs will be chanced to encourage French and British shipping: "If the vessels of France could become our carriers, then we would be producers of the raw materials and be safe as far as foreign nations are concerned in the conflicts that arise in the commerce of the world."

Pickens holds out the possibility of France taking over part of the Louisiana Purchase which "was originally ceded by Napoleon the first, for a very slight consideration, under circumstances amounting almost to duress ..." but warns the Emperor not to speak of this purpose publicly for it would arouse the whole Mississippi Valley against him. "But if the Emperor on the contrary, looks with a view only to commerce and trade, mutually beneficial to both countries, then the greatest harmony might be produced ..."

Pickens asks Rhett to find out if the Emperor will recognize a northern blockade should there be one. Finally, he counsels: "As you go through Washington City, you will be as quiet as possible, but if you can have a fair opportunity, you will sound the French Minister and ascertain what his views are at present, or if he has received any instructions."