Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The rebel Commissioners in England.--A gentleman who was present and heard what he reports, relates that the Commissioners from the rebel States having been formally introduced to Mr. Bates, the head of the house of Baring Brothers, the great financier told them to proceed. They commenced with a most elaborate and glowing description of the resources and wealth of the rebel States. After a pause--

Mr. Bates--“Have you finished?”

Commissioners--“Not quite.” [Then a speech from Commissioner No. 2, and a pause.]

Mr. Bates--“Have you finished?”

Commissioners--“Almost.” [Then a speech from Commissioner No. 3, and a pause.]

Mr. Bates--“Are you through?”

Commissioners--“Yes, sir; you have our case.”

Mr. Bates--“What States did you say composed your Confederacy?”

Commissioners--“Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.”

Mr. Bates--“And Mr. Jefferson Davis is your President?”

Commissioners--“He is. We are proud of him.”

Mr. Bates--“We know Mr. Davis well by reputation. He is the same gentleman who stumped his State for two years in favor of repudiation, and justified the conduct of Mississippi in the United States Senate. We know the gentleman; and although we have no reason to be proud of him or his antecedents; I think I may safely say, that if you have brought with you to London the necessary funds to pay off, principal and interest, the repudiated millions owing to our people by your States of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, there is a reasonable prospect of your raising a small amount in this market! Our Mr. Sturgis will be happy to dine with you at 8 o'clock to-morrow evening.” Exeunt omnes.

While this scene was being enacted at the Barings, Mr. Dudley Mann waited upon our countryman Peabody, who holds three hundred thousand dollars of repudiated Mississippi bonds, on which there is due more than six hundred thousand dollars of interest. Mr. Mann was very magnificent and grandiloquent, but, withal, prosy; and Peabody, suffering from gout and Mississippi repudiation, lost his temper; and, shaking his clenched fist at the rebel, emphatically said: “If I were to go on 'Change and hunt up the suffering and starved widows and orphans who have been ruined by your infamous repudiation of honest debts, and proclaim that you are here to borrow more of our gold and silver to be again paid by repudiation, (as I believe it is my duty to do,) you would inevitably be mobbed, and find it difficult to escape with your life. Good morning, sir.” --N. Y. Courier and Enquirer, May 25.