Had he been instructed to negotiate commercial treaties with European powers?
Mr.
Yancey had received no intimation from any source that authority to negotiate commercial treaties would devolve upon the Commission.

'What then' exclaimed Rhett, 'can be your instructions ?' The President, Mr.
Yancey said, seemed to be impressed with the importance of the cotton crop.

A considerable part of the crop of last year was yet on hand and a full crop will soon be planted.

The justice of the cause and the cotton, so far as he knew, he regretted to say, would be the basis of diplomacy expected of the Commission" (Du Bose, _Life and Times of Yancey_, 599).] [Footnote 663: F.O., Am., Vol.780.No.69.Bunch to Russell, June 5, 1861.

Italics by Bunch.