A Collection in the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 22992
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Alfred Paul was the French consul in Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War. He often served as the diplomatic link between
the governments in Paris and in Richmond.
Reports, 1860-1861, of Alfred Paul, French Consul at Richmond, Virginia, to Edouard Thouvenel (1818-1866), Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Paris, France, describing the political situation in Virginia in the days between Abraham Lincoln's (1809-1865) election
as president and his inauguration, stating that Virginia will side with the South in any potential confrontation. Paul comments
on the 1860 election, South Carolina's secession, Governor John Letcher's (1813-1884) hopes for compromise, slavery, Fort
Sumter, the Virginia state convention, Virginia's efforts at compromise, the likelihood of Virginia's secession, and the inevitability
of Civil War. The reports are written in french, but there are transcript translations into english.
Report,
8 December 1860,
discussing the presidential election of 1860 in Virginia and noting that Virginia will side with the South in any potential
confrontation.
Report,
22 December 1860,
sending word of South Carolina's secession and speculating on what Virginia will do in response.
Report,
9 January 1861,
describing Governor John Letcher's hopes for compromise and reconciliation, and discussing the possibility of civil war and
slavery.
Report
18 January 1861,
noting that Virginia has called a state convention and is hesitantly working for compromise, also news about South Carolina
and Fort Sumter.
Report,
26 January 1861,
concerning a commission Virginia has sent to Washington D.C. to work for compromise, Paul notes that Virginia's effort lack
strength.
Report,
10 February 1861,
stating that southern proposals for compromise would mean the Republican party giving up its principles and noting that all
attention is turning to Virginia.
Report,
24 February 1861,
noting that Virginia is receiving delegates from other southern states, that Virginia secessionists know what they are doing
while opponents do not, and that civil war is likely.
Report,
9 March 1861,
stating that Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address is seen as a declaration of war, that compromise is now impossible, and that
Virginia will likely secede.