The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-26 00:00:00

FRANCE AND AMERICA.

The following is a translation of M. Mercier's
despatch of the 13th April, 1862, which has caused
so much sensation at Washington .

"THE FRENCH MINISTER AT WASHINGTON TO THE
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

WASHINGTON, April 13, 1862.

" Monsieur le Ministre,—ln the last interview which I
had with him, Mr. Seward, under the impression of the sa-
tisfactory news which he had received from the west, deve-
loped to me all the motives which he thought he could
count upon for a proximate re-establishment of the Union.
While conversing, I happened to say, by chance, that I
regretted that I could not go myself to see how matters
really stood at Richmond. Mr. Seward immediately replied
that I could very well go there—that I had only to send for
one of our vessels to take me to Norfolk ; and that he was
quite disposed to give me a pass for that visit.
"As I had no intention of provoking such a reply, and
not having anticipated it, I said I should think it over and
send him an answer. Having considered the matter, it ap-
peared to me that, from the moment I undertook that jour-
ney with such an explicit acquiescence of the Secretary of
State, almost, as it appeared, at his request, it would be
easy for me to prevent, with a little prudence, any inconve-
nience arising from it, and that, on the other hand, besides
giving me the advantage of an opportunity of acquiring
valuable information, it might also be the means of prepar-
ing the way for having recourse to kind offices as a means
of facilitating the pacific arrangement, the want of which is
so strongly felt, I therefore resolved to accomplish it, but I
deemed it indispensable on my part not to leave my col-
league of England in ignorance of my departure; and I lost
no time in informing him of my intention, telling him that
in communicating my resolve to Mr. Seward, I should take
care to tell him that I had only made up my mind to do so
after having consulted my colleague.
" I therefore waited upon Mr. Seward, and I said to him
that the Emperor being always disposed to land his good
offices to the Federal Government, I thought I was acting
up to his views by deciding, if the Secretary of State saw no
objection to it, to start for Richmond. It was natural,
moreover, that I should have the desire, under actual cir-
cumstances, to place myself in communication with our
Consuls to form my own judgment on the state of affairs,
availing myself of the privilege granted to foreign Ministers
residing in the United States to visit every point of the ter-
ritory of the Union.
"As regards the language I should have to hold, it was
easy to divine it. As the war was doing considerable da-
mage to our interests, I came to ascertain what chances
there might be to put a speedy stop to it; if, on this sub-
ject, overtures were made relative to the recognition of
the Confederation of the South, I should reply that it
ought to be understood that, in my position, I could only
speak of the re-establishment of the Union ; that our
general interests always made us look upon separation with
regret, and that our interests of tb e moment ought to make
us desire, above all things, the termination of the war
which interrupted our commerce; that, considering the
disposition which the population of the North seemed to
labour under, the recognition would not decide the Federal
Government to raise the blockade ; that, for us, peace was
the only desire we could entertain, and that we, conse-
quently, should be inclined to do everything in our power
to effect it as soon as possible to the convenience of the two
parties. It was, moreover, agreed that I should only report
to Mr. Seward that which I was authorized to repeat to him.
"Mr. Seward observed to me that I might add, when I
should find a fitting opportunity, that, in his conviction,
the North was not animated by any sentiment of revenge,
and that, as far as he was concerned, it would give him
pleasure to find himself again in the Senate in the presence
of all those the South should wish to send.
"After this interview, I sent a message by the telegraph
to the Commander of the Gassendi, which was at Fort
Monroe, requesting him to come and take me on board as
soon as possible, either at Alexandria or Annapolis, and I
requested Mr. Seward to forward that message.
" I hope, M. le Ministre, that our Excellency will not
have to regret the step I have taken.
(Signed) " MERCIER."

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