The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-27 00:00:00

ment on American soil, and upon the United States
frontier, by means of foreign armies and navies,
would be not only distasteful, but even menacing, to
the people, irrespective of section or party.
" I suppose,"
.he says, " that the Archduke
is going forth upon this adventure to improve
Imperial institutions upon the ruins of a demo-
cratic Republic having weighed all the possible con-
sequences of such a step, and that he is not likely
to have reckoned on the sympathy and support of
the United States Government and people." In
reply to a remark about the New Mexican Empire
recognising the Confederate States, the Count ob-
served that it would be easy for the United States
Government in a moment to make such a step ha-
possible. This meant, of course, that the Govern-
ment at Washington should themselves recognise
the new Governm.2nt of Mexico, to which Mr. Mot-
ley's reply, ought to have carried more weight than
it appears to have done, for it shadowed forth the
undying hostility of the gre.tt Western Republic,
which, in truth, meant the impossibility of eventual
success for such an expedition. Mr. Motley an-
swered that the recognition by the United States
Government seemed to him impossible, and without
urging further his own opinions he placed in the
Count's hand a despatch from Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton, of March 3, 1862, which appears to have
given in very decisive terms the views on this sub-
ject of the American Government. The Archduke
Ferdinand Maximilian received the Mexican depu-
tation offering him the throne, on Oct. 3, 1863.
"Gentlemen,—l am deeply touched by the wishes which
were expressed by the Assembly of Notables at Mexico, at
their sitting of the 10th June, and which you have been
charged to bring to me. It can only be flattering for our
house that, at the first mention of the word monarchy, the
eyes of your countrymen were at once turned to the race
of Charles V. Although the task of assuring the inde-
pendence and well-being of Mexico, by means of durable
and free institutions, is a very noble one, still I must acknow-
ledge, in full understanding with his Majesty the Emperor
of the French, whose glorious initiative makes the regene-
ration of your beautiful country possible, that the
monarchy cannot be restored, on legitimate and last-
ing- foundations, unless the whole nation of its own
free will, ratifies the wish of the capital. Therefore,
I must make my acceptance of the throne which is offered
to me, depending first on the result of a vote of the entire
country. On the other hand, my comprehension of the
sacred duties of the ruler over the restored empire makes

it necessary for me to ask for those guarantees which are
indispensable to protect it from the dangers which threaten
its integrity and independence. Should the assurances of
a well-grounded security in the future ba obtained, and
should the universal choice of the noble Mexican people
fall upon me, I shall b 3 ready to accept the throne sup-
ported by the acquiescence of the high chief of my
family, awl confiding in the protection of the Almighty.
In case that I should be called by Providence to the high
mission of civilization connected with this crown, 1 must,
gentlemen, declare to you even now, my firm determina-
tion, following the wise example of my imperial brother,
to open to the country the path of progress, founded on
law and order, by means of a constitutional Government,
and as soon as the whole realm has been restored to peace,
to seal the fundamental fact with the nation lip my oath.
Only in this way could a new and truly national policy be
called into life, in which all parties, forgetting their
ancient enmities, would help to raise Mexico to that con-
spicuous rank among the nations to which she would seem
to bo destined, under a Government which held as its
highest principle, to let moderation and law govern.
Gentlemen, will you communicate to your countrymen
these resolutions which I have freely imparted to you, and
strive that it may be made possible to the nation to declare
what Government it wishes to see established."
The American Minister alludes to the Mexican
question in his despatch, No. 108, Vienna, June 5,
1865, as occupying a large part of public attention
in Europe. He informs Mr. Hunter, the acting
Secretary of State, that he had had no conversa-
tion, official or informal, on the subject with the
Imperial Government. "As 1 have often had occa-
sion to observe, the Imperial Government has ever
hold itself aloof from the whole Mexican enterprise
and disavows responsibility for its results. I sup-
pose that the United States Government continues
its diplomatic relations with the Mexican Republic,
and has no present intention of departing from the
line of strict neutrality which it has laid down be-
tween the contending parties in that country, nor
anY *------tinn of lending assistance by underhand
; means to either being,-1,,,