U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward unilaterally declines an offer by French Emperor Napoleon III to mediate the conflict between the U.S. and the Confederacy.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward unilaterally declines an offer by French Emperor Napoleon III to mediate the conflict between the U.S. and the Confederacy.
Benjamin F. Butler, commanding Federal occupation forces in New Orleans, uses dubious legal proceedings to make an example of a citizen for dishonoring the U.S. flag.