Made possible by the generous, community-minded support of American Public University System (apus.edu) to encourage fact-based, dispassionate investigation, inquiry and scholarship. All views and sentiments portrayed in the videos and posts of civilwarscholars.com, however commendable in some instances, do not in any way reflect the 21st century, modern day politics of the University.
SUMMARY
The friendship between Harriet Lane, her Uncle (and 15h President) James Buchanan with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and the young future king 18-year old Prince of Wales played a key role in the Queen’s proclamation of neutrality in May, 1861 at the outset of the Civil War that provided some check on a strong sentiment among the commercial classes in England to recognize the Confederacy. These friendships began between 1853-1856 when Harriet and her uncle (whom she called “Nunc” in private, when he was made the ambassador from the U.S. to the Court of St. James. Then when Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation in September, 1862 the Confederacy was condemned by England, France and Russia. The Sweet Shoppe building in Shepherdstown is also known as the Lane building because Harriet’s family – at one time herself – owned it. This quite remarkable person called by Frank Leslie’s illustrated weekly as our original “First Lady” in 1860, cemented, shall we say, strong friendship not only with the Queen, but also the young Prince of Wales when she accompanied when he came to the United States in July-October, 1860 as war clouds gathered and soon burst.
In reading this post . . . the appearance of * (one) asterisk precedes references and textual sources; ** (two) asterisks precedes the narrative or script; *** (three) asterisks precedes the advent of new music or sound effects and their duration and over which images as they appear in the video. They do not apply to the post, but are included nevertheless.
VIDEO: Harriet Lane America’s Original First Lady by Jim Surkamp February, 2020- TRT: 1:09:35 – https://youtu.be/r0NBsXgs6fITHIS SEGMENT WITHIN THIS LONGER VIDEO BEGINS AT 49:00.
49:01 confluence by vandaliariver.com over images 274-281 to 50:49
**
**
Queen Victoria would always fondly refer to Harriet as “Dear Miss Lane.” On a landmark visit to Canada Victoria’s youngish son Albert Edward the Prince of Wales in the summer of 1860. James Buchanan and Harriet and others successfully prevailed upon him to come see them too and their country.
“I have learned from the public journals that the Prince of Wales is about to visit Your Majesty’s North American dominions. I need not say how happy I would be to give him a cordial welcome to Washington. Your Majesty’s most obedient servant” – James Buchanan June 4th, 1860. (
“My good friend – I have been much gratified at the feelings that have prompted you to write to me, inviting the Prince of Wales to come to Washington. It will give him great pleasure to have an opportunity of testifying to you in person that those feelings are fully reciprocated by him! I remain ever your good friend Victoria R.”
*
Ian Radforth, Royal Spectacle: The 1860 Visit of the Prince of Wales to Canada and the United States. Series: Heritage Copyright Date: 2004 Published by: University of Toronto Press 340 pages – jstor.org www.jstor.org/stable/10.3138/j.ctt1287w43
Engleheart, Gardner D. (Gardner Dillman), 1823- Journal of the progress of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales through British North America; and his visit to the United States, 10th July to 15th November, 1860. – loc.gov www.loc.gov/item/06043560/
The prince was mobbed everywhere he went by giddy throngs in cities from Richmond to Pittsburgh; and when he came back to Washington D.C. with Nunc and Harriet, it included a symbolically important, much-remembered visit to George Washington’s Tomb at Mount Vernon. On October 3rd, at the White House, the Royal party were introduced to the President by Secretary Cass and then by the President to Miss Lane. The meeting of the Prince and the President was extremely cordial. At a dinner for about thirty that followed, the Prince sat on the right of Miss Lane and across from the President. The next day after touring the Capitol and the Washington Monument, that the Prince likened to a “lighthouse,” the reporter wrote: “The Prince then left, an immense crowd gathering in front of the most recent visited building and cheering him as he drove off accompanied by Miss Lane and Mrs. Secretary Thompson. The Prince and the party visited Mrs. Smith’s Institute for young ladies, remaining for two hours, and expressing themselves delighted with their visit. The Prince enjoyed several games of ten pins with Miss Lane and laughed heartily at the sport. He has been so long deprived of ladies’ society that he cannot conceal his gratification, and although too tired for receptions – is never too weary to go out with Miss Lane. At the gymnasium the Prince seemed a boy again. Miss Lane and the Prince conquered Mrs. Secretary Thompson and the Duke of Newcastle at ten pins and then with little effort Miss Lane out-rolled the Prince.
That July the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association had taken possession of Mount Vernon from John Augustine Washington for $200,000 period dollars – the first act of historic preservation in the young nation’s history. The Prince later wrote that “The house is sadly dilapidated. It commands beautiful views from the rocky and wooded eminence from which it stands.” The Royal party were deeply observant, asking many questions. Having carefully inspected the house, the Prince stood reverently uncovered in the room in which Washington died. (Later) the party with uncovered heads ranged themselves in front of the tomb, as simple yet so grand in its associations and silently contemplated the tomb of Washington – the Father of a country, second to none, as the Prince and President Buchanan stood together before the tomb of Washington, how much was suggested of interest in the past, of hope for the future. The ceremony over, the party again stood for a few moments before the tomb, then turning away in thoughtful silence, retracing their way to the “Harriet Lane” cutter vessel, which during their absence had been transformed by means of gay flags and canvas into a beautiful dining saloon. The steamer went slowly up the Potomac until dinner was over and the deck cleared for dancing, the Marine band furnishing the music. Four hours were consumed in the passage to Washington. And the Prince passed the night at the White House, according to a memo of Harriet’s “in the north room over the small dining room; the adjoining on the northwest corner of his dressing room.”
Buchanan wrote the Queen October 6, 1860: “In our domestic circle the Prince has won all hearts. His free and ingenuous intercourse with myself evinced both a kind heart and good understanding. I shall ever cherish the warmest wishes for his welfare.” The visit of the Prince to the tomb of Washington and the simple but solemn ceremonies at this consecrated spot will become an historic event and cannot fail to exert a happy influence on the kindred people of the two countries.”
Queen Victoria made a reply: “I am impelled to express how deeply I have been touched by the many demonstrations of affection which his [the Prince of Wales’s] presence has called forth. I fully reciprocate towards your nation the feelings thus made apparent and look upon them as forming an important link to cement two nations of kindred origin and character.” Harpers Weekly October 20, 1860
The day Prince Albert left, Harpers Weekly in an editorial wrote: We are inclined to think that this visit of the Prince to the United States will prove one of the most beneficial measures of Queen Victoria’s reign. If the peace can be preserved between Great Britain and the United States, it matters very little what other powers may do – We think the possibility of a war between this country and Great Britain has been diminished by the Prince’s visit.
When Victoria died on January 22, 1901 after feeling a little weak – The Prince or “Bertie” to Harriet invited her to his coronation August 9th 1902, when he became King Edward VII.
50:27 – FX cheering crowd over images 279 & 279a to 50:33
**
**
and when he came back to Washington D.C. with Nunc and Harriet, it included a symbolically important, much-remembered visit to George Washington’s Tomb at Mount Vernon.
50:53 – Joseph Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 20, No. 4, played by the Jupiter Quartet over images 283-286 to 51:24
51:24 – Shana Aisenberg on “reflective” guitar over images 287-298 to 53:10
51:37 – FX cheer applause over images 288-290 to 51:48
51:50 FX bowl strike over image 291 to 51:57
**
accompanied by Miss Lane and Mrs. Secretary Thompson.
52:21 FX laughter party over image 293 to 52:23
52:24 – FX bowling a strike over images 294-295 to 52:35
**
*
Journal of the progress of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales through British North America; and his visit to the United States, 10th July to 15th November, 1860. – Contributor Names: Engleheart, Gardner D. (Gardner Dillman), 1823- ; Created / Published: [London?, s.n., 1860?] – loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 17 January 2020 http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.43560/?sp=106
That July the Mt. Vernon Ladies Association had taken possession of Mount Vernon from John Augustine Washington for $200,000 period dollars – the first act of historic preservation in the young nation’s history. The house is sadly dilapidated. It commands beautiful views from the rocky and wooded eminence from which it stands. The Royal party were deeply observant, asking many questions. Having carefully inspected the house, the Prince stood reverently uncovered in the room in which Washington died. (Later) the party with uncovered heads ranged themselves in front of the tomb, as simple yet so grand in its associations and silently contemplated the tomb of Washington – the Father of a country, second to none, as the Prince and President Buchanan stood together before the tomb of Washington, how much was suggested of interest in the past, of hope for the future.
53:12 Nick Blanton, Shana Aisenberg, and Ralph Gordon chugging sound over images 299-301 to 53:46
**
**
53:46 Cam Millar’s Beauties 1 & 2 over image 301-311 to 55:51
*
Journal of the progress of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales through British North America; and his visit to the United States, 10th July to 15th November, 1860. – Contributor Names: Engleheart, Gardner D. (Gardner Dillman), 1823- ; Created / Published: [London?, s.n., 1860?] loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 17 January 2020 www.loc.gov/resource/lhbtn.43560/?sp=106
**
55:54 – Nick Blanton, Ralph Gordon & Shana Aisenberg over images 312-314 to 56:16
55:57 – FX tavern laughter over images 313-315 to 56:24
**
The steamer went slowly up the Potomac until dinner was over and the deck cleared for dancing, the Marine band furnishing the music. Some quadrilles enlivened the return voyage. The Prince opened the dance with Miss Lane . . .The whole party were in such excellent spirits. Four hours were consumed in the passage to Washington.
56:11 FX seagulls (intermittent) over images 314, 317 & 318 to 56:40.
56:11 – FX seagulls (intermittent) over images 314, 317 & 318 to 56:40. 56:18 – Quadrille sample over images 314-318 to 56:41 Quadrille sample record wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 5 January 2020 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrille
**
56:42 horned owl over image 319 to 56:45
56:42 – FX night sounds over images 319 & 320 to 56:41
*
Moon approaching third quarter on October 5-6, 1860 The Metropolitan Catholic Almanac, And Laity’s Directory, For The Year Of Our Lord 1860 archive.org 26 January 1997 Web. 5 January 2020 p. 20 archive.org/details/MetropolitanCatholicAlmanac1860/page/n27
56:59 – FX girl giggle over image 320 to 57:00
*
The Prince of Wales room
It started as just another bedroom on the second floor. By the time of the Lincoln administration in the mid-19th century, it had become used as a state guest room and was known as the “Prince of Wales Room,” since the Prince of Wales had stayed there in 1860 during the Buchanan administration. – whitehousemuseum.org 25 June 2006 Web. 24 January 2020 www.whitehousemuseum.org/floor2/private-dining-room.htm
57:03 virginius by vandaliariver.com over images 321-325 to 58:11
**
Buchanan wrote the Queen October 6, 1860: “In our domestic circle the Prince has won all hearts. His free and ingenuous intercourse with myself evinced both a kind heart and good understanding. I shall ever cherish the warmest wishes for his welfare. The visit of the Prince to the tomb of Washington and the simple but solemn ceremonies at this consecrated spot will become an historic event and cannot fail to exert a happy influence on the kindred people of the two countries.”
**
Queen Victoria made a reply: “I am impelled to express how deeply I have been touched by the many demonstrations of affection which his [the Prince of Wales’s] presence has called forth. I fully reciprocate towards your nation the feelings thus made apparent and look upon them as forming an important link to cement two nations of kindred origin and character.” Harper’s Weekly October 20, 1860.
**
58:16 FX seagulls over images 326 & 327 to 58:40
58:20 applause over image 327-331 to 58:38
58:23 U.S. Army Band playing Rule Britannia over images 327- to 58:55
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule,_Britannia!
58:55 – “murphy” vandaliariver.com over images 332-336 to 59:59
“We are inclined to think that this visit of the Prince to the United States will prove one of the most beneficial measures of Queen Victoria’s reign. If the peace can be preserved between Great Britain and the United States, it matters very little what other powers may do – We think the possibility of a war between this country and Great Britain has been diminished by the Prince’s visit.“
1:00:00 Shana Aisenberg’s Ishmael’s Grief over images 337-343 to 1:01:09
Buchanan, in those four years, he – as a pro-Union, but pro-enslavement Pennsylvanian – could muster no more than straddling the North-South divide, until the Deep South states, upon Lincoln’s election, seceded while President Buchanan had four more months in office.
Did the warm ties between the Royal family and Nunc and Harriet matter when the Civil War came?
Queen Victoria on May 13th, 1861 – just two months after Buchanan stepped down – issued the proclamation of neutrality stating that the government of Great Britain would remain formally neutral in the United States’ domestic affairs for the remainder of the war . . . She was holding back pressures to recognize the Confederacy. Lord John Palmerston the Prime Minister confided to a correspondent that the day North and South permanently divided “would be the happiest day of our lives.” Of almost two hundred English newspapers examined by Professor Thomas Keiser (PhD), only nineteen supported the Union cause.
1:00:56 FX sheep,goats over image 343 to 1:01:09
**
1:01:11 Shana Aisenberg guitar over images 344-348b to 1:01:50
England delivered sixty percent of all the Enfield rifles used by the Confederate Army. The blockade-runners were operated largely by British citizens, making use of neutral ports such as Havana, Nassau and Bermuda. – thomaslegion.net 12 March 2007 Web. 28 January 2020 www.thomaslegion.net/blockadeofthecarolinacoast.html
352c. google map Sunken Lane mid-day battle
England’s leaders waited skeptically after the Union army held off Confederate Gen. Lee’s all out attempted incursion into Maryland in September, 1862. They initially saw Lincoln’s declared Emancipation Proclamation as a political ploy.
They initially saw Lincoln’s declared Emancipation Proclamation as a political ploy.
1:03:25 Singing Jacob’s Ladder over images 355-359 to 1:04:35
First text:
By the President of the United States of America: – A Proclamation. – Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:
That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free. –
But when the Emancipation became law January 1, 1863 and foreign observers saw it wasn’t just a ploy but henceforth a war against enslavement, all the would-be allies of the Confederacy – England, France and Russia abandoned that position, condemned the Confederacy and threw their support to the end to the Union cause.
1:04:35 Shana Aisenberg 23rd Regiment tune over images 360-368 to 1:05:29
1:05:29 “schlhse” courtesy vandaliariver.com over images 367a-376 to 1:07:17
1:05:32 scythe cutting wheat over image 368-369d. to 1:06:08