The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-19 00:00:00

MEXICO.

Secretary Seward, writing to Mr. Corwin, Mini-
ster to Mexico, April 9, says ;
" The actual condition of affairs in Mexico is so
imperfectly understood here that the President finds
it very difficult to give particular and practical
directions for the regulation of Mr. Corwin's con-
duct during his mission. Mr. Seward finds the
archives here full of complaints against the Mexi-
can Government for violations of contracts, and
spoliations and cruelties practised against American
citizens. It is not the intention of the President to
send forward such claims at the present moment.
He willingly defers the performance of a duty which
at any time may seem ungracious, until the incom-
ing Administration in Mexico shall have had time,
if possible, to cement its authority, and reduce the
yet disturbed elements of society to order and har-
mony. You will, however, be expected, in some
manner which will be marked with firmness, as well
as liberality, to keep the Government there in mind
that such of these claims as shall bo found just will
in due time be presented and urged upon its consi-
deration. The President does not expect Mr. Corwin
to allude to the origin or causes of our domestic
difficulties in his intercourse with the Government
of Mexico, although that Government will rightfully
as well as reasonably ask what are his expectations
of their course and of their end. On the contrary,
the President will not suffer the representatives of
the United States to engage in any discussion of the
merits of these difficulties in the presence of foreign
Powers, much less to invoke even their censure
against those of our fellow-citizens who have arrayed
themselves in opposition to its authority. The suc-
cess of this Government in conducting affairs to
that consummation may depend in some small
degree on the action of the Government and people
of Mexico, in this new emergency. The President
could not fail to see that Mexico, instead of being
benefited by the prostration or obstruction of
Federal authority in this country, would be exposed
by it to new and fearful dangers, On the other
hand, a continuation of anarchy in Mexico must
necessarily operate as a seduction to those who are
conspiring against the integrity of the Union to
seek strength and aggrandisement for themselves
by conquests in Mexico and other parts of Spanish
America. Thus,eveu the dullest observer is at last
able to see, what was long ago distinctly seen by
those who are endowed with any considerable
perspicuity, that peace, order, constitutional autho-
rity in each and all of th© several republics of this
continent are not exclusively an interest of one or
more of them, but a common and indispensable in-
terest of them all."

In the course of the instructions Secretary Seward
said :

" You may possibly meet agents of this projected
Confederacy busy in preparing some further revo-
lution in Mexico. You will not fail to assure the
Government of Mexico that the President never
has, nor can ever have, any sympathy with" such
designs, in whatever quarter they may arise, or
whatever character they may take on, Iu view of
the President's temper and political habits, and the
opinions of the Mexican people, the President can
scarcely believe that tho disaffected citizens of our
own country, who are now attempting a dismem-
berment of the American Union, will hope to in-
duce Mexico to aid them by recognising the assumed
independence which they have proclaimed, because
it seems manifest to him that such an organisation
of a distinct Government, once that part of the pre-
sent Union which adjoins Mexico, would, if pos-
sible, be fraught with evils to that country, more
intolerable than any which the success of these
desperate measures could inflict even upon the
United States. At the same time, it is manifest that
the existing political organisation in this country
affords the surest guarantee Mexico can have that
her integrity, union, and independence will be re-
spected by the people of the American Union. The
President, however, expects that you will be watch-
ful of such designs as I have thus described, how-
ever improbable they may seem, and that you will
use the most effective measures in your power to
counteract any recognition of the projected Con-
federate States by the Mexican Government, if it
shall be solicited.
Mr. Seward says in conclusion :

" The President trusis that your mission, mani-
festing these sentiments, will reassure the Govern-

ment of Mexico of his best disposition to favour
their commerce and their internal improvements.
He hopes, indeed, that your mission, assuming a
spirit more elevated than one of merely com-
merce and conventional amity—a spirit disin-
terested and unambitious, earnestly A merican
in the continental sense of the word, and fra-
ternal in no affected or mere diplomatic mean-
ing of the term, while it shall secure the confidence
and good will of the Government of Mexico, will
mark the inauguration of a new condition of things,
directly conducive to the prosperity and happiness
of both nations, and ultimately auspicious to all
other Republican States throughout the world."
Mr. Corwin writes, May 29 :
" I deem it of the very first importance that our
Consul at every port on the Gulf of Mexico should
be at their respective posts with careful and specific
instructions as to their treatment of vessels sailing
under the flag of the Confederate States, or having
papers from ports within those States, made out by
officers under their authority. Should the relations
now existing, or which pay hereafter exist, between
the United States and Ihe seceding States be such
as to require of me any specific act in relation to
such state of things, I beg to be advised of it by the
Department as early as possible. The present Go-
vernment of Mexico is well affected towards us in
our present difficulties, but, for obvious reasons, will
be unwilling to enter into any engagement which
might produce war with the South, unless protected
by promise of aid from the United States."

And on the 29th of June Mr. Corwin writes :

" The present time is most propitious for securing
the advantages and preventing the evils which 1
have suggested. The Government here feels the
strongest sympathy with the United States. It has
been my constant endeavour, since my arrival here
to possess the Mexican mind of the true cause of our
difficulties, and thus enable them to estimate the
dangers to this Republic which will result from any
unfo-roorOblo 4o,noloatiork of them. lam quite sure
that while this Government will endeavour to pre-
serve peaceful relations with all the European
Powers on fair terms, it regards the United States
as its true and only reliable friend in any struggle
which may involve the national existence. That this
should be so is somewhat remarkable when engen-
dered in the general Mexican mind by the loss of
Texas, which they attribute to our citizens, and the
compulsory cession of territory, which was a conse-
quence of our war with them."