The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-21 00:00:00

THE MEXtuAN QUESTION.

The following diplomatic correspondence between
the American and French Governments relative to
the occupation of Mexico has been laid before the
United States' Congress.
Under date of Nov. 8 Mr. Bigelow wrote to Mr.
Seward, stating the French Government had altered
its programme, and would not begin to remove
any of its forces in Mexico before the spring, and
gave as a reason the action of Government. In an
interview accorded to Mr. Bigelow the Emperor of
the French stated, however, that he would not give
another man nor another dollar to Maximilian.
Thus reassured partially, Mr. Bigelow withdrew,
giving the Emperor to understand that his embar-
rassment would be removed. Next day, Nov. 9,
Mr. Seward transmitted to Mr. Bigelow a copy of
his instructions to Minister Campbell, for the infor-
mation of the French Government, even to the read-
ing of the despatch if required. About two weeks
later, Nov. 22, the Secretary of War was officially in-
formed of the existing state of affairs, and requested
to give such instructions t 3 the forces on the Rio
Grande as might be deemed expedient. Next day
(Nov. 23) Mr. Campbell was informed of the state
of affairs, and on the same day the famous cable
despatch, which excited so much curiosity and
comment at the time, was sent to Mr. Bigelow. Its
supposed vast importance, and
.its great length—
being the longest despatch ever,sent over the cable
—made every one anxious to know what new trouble
was arising. This despatch is as follows :
" Ma. SEWARD TO MR. BIGELOW.

" Department of State, Washington, Nov. 23.
" Sir,—Your despatch of the Bth of November
(No. 384) in regard to Mexico is received. Your
proceedings in your interview with M. Moustier and
also your proceedings in your interview with the
Emperor are entirely approved. Say to M. Moustier
that this Government is surprised and affected with
deep concern by the announcement now made for
the first time that the promised recall of one detach-
ment of the French troops from Mexico in Novem-
ber current has been postponed by the Emperor.
The embarrassment thus produced is immeasurably
increased by the circumstance that this proceeding
of the Emperor has been taken without conference
with and even without notice to the United States.
This Government has not in any way afforded rein-
forcements to the Mexicans, as the Emperor seems
to assume, and it has known nothing at all of his
countermanding instructions to Marshal Bazaine, of
which the Emperor speaks. We consult only official
communications to ascertain the purposes and reso-
lutions of France, as we make our own purposes
and resolutions known only in the same manner
when she is concerned. lam not prepared to say,
and it is now unnecessary to discuss, whether the
President could or could not have agreed to the
Emperor's proposed delay, if he had been season-
ably consulted and if the proposition had been then
put, as the proceeding is now, upon the ground of
military considerations alone, and if it had been
marked with the customary manifestation of regard
to the interests and feelings of the United States.
But the Emperor's decision to modify the existing
arrangement without any understanding with the
United States, so as to leave the whole French army
in Mexico for the present, instead of withdrawing
one detachment in November current, as promised,
is now found in every way inconvenient and excep-
tionable. We cannot acquiesce, first, because the
term next spring,' as appointed for the entire eva-
cuation, is indefinite and vague ; second, because we
have no authority for stating to Congress and to the
American people that we have now a better guaran-
tee for the withdrawal of the whole expeditionary
force in the spring than we have heretofore had for
the withdrawal of a part in November ; third, in
full reliance upon at least a literal performance of
the Emperor's existing agreement, we have taken
measures, while facilitating the anticipated French
evacuation, to co-operate with the Republican Go-
vernment of Mexico for promoting the pacification
of that country, and for the early and complete re-
storation of the proper constitutional authority of
that Government. As a part of those measures,
Mr. Campbell, our newly-appointed Minister, at-
tended by Lieut.-Gen. Sherman, has been sent to
Mexico, in order to confer with President Juarez on
the subjects which are deeply interesting to the
United States, and of vital importance to Mexico.
Our policy and measures, thus adopted in full re-
liance upon the anticipated beginning
of the eva-
cuation of Mexico, were promptly made known
to the French Legation here, and doubtless you have
already executed your instructions, by. making them
known to the Emperor's Government in Paris. The
Emperor will perceive that we cannot now recall Mr.
Campbell ; nor can we modify the instructions under
which he is expected to treat, and under which he
may even now be treating with the Republican Go-
vernment of Mexico. That Government will, of
course, most earnestly desire and confidently expect
an early and entire discontinuation of foreign hos-
tile occupation. You will, therefore, state to the
Emperor's Government that the President sincerely
hopes and expects that the evacuation of Mexico
will be carried into effect with such conformity to
the existing agreement as the inoportune complica-
tion which calls for this despatch shall allow. Mr.
Campbell will be advised of that complication. In-
structions will be issued to the United States mili-
tary forces of observation to await in every case
special directions from the President. This will be
done with a confident expectation that the telegraph
or the mail may seasonably bring us a satisfactory
resolution from the Emperor in reply to this note.
You will assure the French Government that the
United States, while they seek the relief of Mexico,
desire nothing more earnestly than to preserve
peace and friendship with France ; nor does the
President allow himself to doubt that what has been
determined in France, most inauspiciously, as we
think, has been decided upon inadvertently without
full reflection upon the embarrassment it must pro-
duce here, and without any design to retain the
French expeditionary forces in Mexico beyond the
full period of 18 months, originally stipulated for
the complete evacuation.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
" To John Bigelow, Esq., &c., Paris."
The following despatches aro also published in
the New York press :

Washington, Dec. 6.
" A cable despatch was received yesterday from
Mr. Bigelow, which has convinced the Government
of the good faith of the French Emperor. The late
change of plan which has excited our suspicion
arose solely from military reasons, and the Emperor
has distinctly specified the time when his army will
embark to the last man. The Emperor further
expresses his satisfaction at the mission to Mexico
by our Government, and proposes cordially to co-
operate in promoting the. restoration of the Repub-
lican Government. His Majesty suggests as the
shortest road to a solution that an election shall be
brought about by the joint influence of the United
States and France without any dictation as to the
choice of candidates ; but he thinks it will devolve
on the United States to maintain the Government
thus created. This despatch has removed appre-
hensions of any further misunderstanding with
France."
" Washington, Friday; Dec. 7.
" Mr. Bigelow's reply to Mr. Seward's cipher
des-
patch was received on Tuesday morning, and this
is the whole of it nearly :
" In answer to :a verbal communication, the
Minister of Foreign-Affairs, M. Moustier, writes
me to-day that France has not changed her resolu-
tion, but that upon military considerations she has
deemed it expedient to substitute
one comprehensive
evacuation for an evacuation in separate parts. All
the French troops will leave Mexico in the month
of March."

DESPATCH OF THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.--SOUTH-
AMPTON, Thursday.—The Peninsular and Oriental Com-
pany's steam-ship Nyanza, Captain Weeks, sailed to-day
with mails for Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden,
Ceylon, India (except Bombay), China, Mauritius, Austra-

Ea, and New Zealand. She took out 71 first and 25 second
class passengers, and a general cargo on freight, including
specie, &c., value .£6,66-1 11s. 6d. The mails taken out by
the Nyanza amounted to 1,021 boxes and 17 bags ; they
measured 33 tons, and weighed 43 tons.