 As Secretary of State , Benjamin attempted to gain official recognition for the Confederacy by France and the United Kingdom , but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful . To preserve the Confederacy as military defeat made its situation increasingly desperate , he advocated freeing and arming the slaves , but his proposals were not accepted until it was too late . When Davis fled the Confederate capital of Richmond in early 1865 , Benjamin went with him , but left the presidential party and was successful in escaping , whereas Davis was captured by Union troops . Benjamin made his way to Britain and became a barrister , again rising to the top of his profession before retiring in 1883 . He died in Paris the following year . 
