Boyce, William Waters, 1818-1890 to Judah P. Benjamin

Offers Benjamin a number of suggestions for Confederate foreign policy. Suggests that the Confederacy should "propose a peace to the Lincoln Government the terms of which should be peculiarly favourable to the North West and Pennsylvania." Expects "Lincoln would reject this tender, but the offer I think would do us good." Expects that "The tendency of this offer is to divide the North West and Pennsylvania from the rest of the North." If the peace offers "free navigation of the Mississippi" and other such concessions favoring the North West, this may help convince these areas that continued fighting is not in their interests, especially at a time when Lincoln has just called for "300,000 more troops." Expects other positive outcomes as well. The offer "Causes the question of peace to be considered at the North...and discussion can do no harm." Also "gives advocated for peace at the North something to go upon," and "will have a good effect on Europe, especially if you throw in some pretty phrases about our unwillingness to shed blood etc etc." Also suggests an alliance with Louis Napoleon, "I think the only possible chance of a permanent peace is an alliance with one of the great European powers & Louis Napoleon is the only possible chance. Also wants Benjamin to persuade or pay European newspapers to write articles attacking the financial situation of the United States. Wants the Confederate Congress to set aside a "large secret fund" for this purpose. The envelope has a canceled 10 cent CSA postage stamp.