Instructions to James Mason of Virginia from Confederate Secretary of State Robert Hunter
9/23/1861
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On September 23, 1861, Confederate Secretary of State Robert Hunter instructed James Mason of Virginia to sail to London. He was to gain England’s recognition of the Confederacy, resulting in legitimacy and possibly an alliance against the United States. But on November 8, Mason was captured by Union forces aboard the British vessel Trent. Britain deemed this a violation of its neutrality and nearly declared war on the United States. Great Britain never recognized the Confederacy.
This primary source comes from the War Department Collection of Confederate Records.
Full Citation: Instructions to James Mason of Virginia from Confederate Secretary of State Robert Hunter; 9/23/1861; Letter Sent & Received, Secretary of State; War Department Collection of Confederate Records, Record Group 109; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/instructions-to-james-mason-from-confederate-secretary-of-state, April 18, 2024]