The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-01 00:00:00

1864.

AMERICA.

(REUTER'S TELEG utAms.)
(Per the Africa via Ba )che's Point.)
(Per Telegraph to Er.alifax.)
NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (Afternoon).
The diplomatic correspondent' e has been ltaitl
before the Congress.
Mr. Seward wrote to Mr. Adartm in October 14 st
that the United States insist and ;mist continue to
insist that the British Governme rat is responsible
for the damages which American I :itizens sustain by
the Alabama's depredations, and I dr. Seward ci.nnot
instruct Mi. Adams to refrai.a from pressing
the claims he has in his ands referring to
Mr. Lord's rams. In September Mr. Seward writes
Mr. Adams that the Navy Dept irtenent has not any
vessels which can be spared frc m Charleston ade-
quate to resist those rams, which may be expected
to attack New York, Boston, P ortland, Charleston,
or New Orleans. Can the B ritish Government,
says Mr. Seward, suppose that such an assault can
be made with British-built, armed, and manned
vessels without arousing the win ►ie American nation
and rendering a retaliatory war inevitable. The
political debates throughout the country show that
the United States would now accept an unprovoked
foreign war with more unanimity and cheerfulness
than at any former period. The nation, after two
years war, has overcome the sonse of fear, whil
its temper is highly excitive. It believes there are
no limits to its ultimate ability of self-defence.
For the interest of both countries, I hope no blow
will fall from the hands of British stateatnen,
which will render peace impossible after the
detention of the rams."
Mr. Seward requests Mr. Adams to, inform Earl
Russell that the Federal Government will here-
after hold itself obliged, with even more cause
than heretofore, to endeavour to conduct its inter-
course with England, so that the civil war, when
terminated, will leave to neither nation any per.
manent cause for discontent.

Mr. Seaward wrote to Mr. Daytu n in September
last that the United States held in regard to
Mexico the same principles as towards all nations.
They have, he said, neither the right nor the dis•
position to intervene forcibly in Mexican affairs
whether to establish a Republican or dornefAic
Government, or to overthrow an Imperia). or
foreign Government. The United States pre.ctica
in regard to Mexico is non-intervention, -which
they require all foreign powers to ob.,
serve in regard to the United States.
Notwithstanding this self-restraint the United
States knows well that the internal normal opinion
of Mexico favours Republican Government. The
United States do not deny that, in their opinion,
their own safety and the destiny to which they
aspire are ultimately dependent upon the con-
tinuance of Republican institutions throughout
America. These opinions are submitted as worthy
of the Emperor's consideration in determining how
he would conduct and close what might prove a
successful war in Mexico. If France adopted a
policy in Mexico adverse to American opinions and
sentiments, that policy would scatter seeds fruit-
ful of jealousies which might ultimately ripen
into a collision between France and the
United States and other American Republics.
In October last, referring to an intimation of M.
Drouyn de Lhnys that an early acknowledgment

of the Mexican empire by the United States would
be cony enient to France, Mr. Seward writes :

The United States are of opinion that the permanent

establishment of a monarchical government will be
found neither desirable nor easy. The United States

continue to regard Mexico as the theatre of a war
which has not yet ended in the submission of the

Government long existing there; therefore the

United States are not at liberty to consider the ques•
tion of recognising a government which in the fur-

,her chances of war may come into its place. The

United States cannot do otherwise than leave

.he destinies of Mexico in the keeping of

her own people, and recognise their sovereignty
and independence in whatever form they them-
selves shell choose that this sovereignty and inde-
pendence shall be manifested,

In December last Mr. Seward writes to the Ame-
rican Minister in Mexico ::" No contingency is now
anticipated in which you will be expected to address

yoursalf to any other government than that to which.

you are accredited."
Private letters received in San Francisco assert
that the Mexican General Dios attacked and cap.
turgid Arizaba from the French by assault on the
18th Dec.