New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-23
OUR FOEEKGN RELATIONS.
Explanation Of the Conversation between
Mr.. Dayton and Drouyn dc Lhuys-The
Question Of the Contrnbnnd Trade by
the Wrench from New-YorIt 20 Mexico
Ms. seward and his Predictions--The
French Mediation Scheme Again.
From on Occasioua Correspondent q The n y Tribune

From on Occasional Correspondent Of The N y Tribune
WAsHISGToN. Dec. 10. 1867.
communication, ottensby semi-oiIicial, purport.
ing to give an account Of the late conversations be-
tween Mr. Dayton and the French Minister of For.
eign Affairs, and to explain the motives which have
sctused Louis Napoleon in bis project of mediation
has recently been sent from Washington to enc OF
the New-York Journals. As several Of the state
ments contained in il are either incorrect incom-
pete desire TO set them in their true light, and 10
state what believe TO be an accurate view OF the
whole transaction.
1t has been said, and with some chow Of truth,
that the French Minister in answer to the pressing
questions Of Mr.. Dayton denied that any action was
contemplated by Franco concerning the United
States. 1t has also been said that this denial was
made at the very moment his proposition Of arnstice
was offered to the English aud Russian Cabinets.
Presented in this light, without. tho statements
which complete and explain bis idea, the act Of the
French Minister seeme to 10 one Of duplicty little
honorable TO his character. But II you question the
diI lomas on that subject, they will tell you that
Mr. Drouyu dc Lhuys took care 10 perfect his an
nouncement by stating that the French Government
had no design 10 intervene interfere in any way;
mental restriction explained by the flct that the
proposition made TO other Powers did not iuply
the idea Of an Intervention or interference. ~ the
same ,imo lie purposely declared that France re-
served to herself tie night Of expressing her wishes
for q mediation whenever she thought the time hsd
arrived TO do so; and he even told Mr.. Dayton tina,
the subject was under Discussion. lie did not choose
to inform him of the time when the proposition
would be made; but If you remember that when this
conversation occurred he had not yet received an
answer from England aud Russia, you will no. be
surprised by bis ignorance that point. In reality,
and in the ewes Of all those who have read the letter
in which Mr. Dayton gives an account Of that inter.
view, II was evident that the French Government
was taking or about 10 take come action in our hf-
fairs and the only doubt, If any could have existed,
WA upon tie question Of tine.
In reference TO that ras,aec Of Mr.. Dayion's let
ter in which il IL said that Mr. Drouyn de Lhr!s
expected tha, the opening Of the Southern ports
ould follow The acceptance Of IN armiliice, have
reason foI believing Il al ihis il not tie expression
n cd by tie French Minister Oh that occasion, nor
were his views prof.nted in tue manner alleged.
Mr.. Daytons ability and character
which are universally respected, his want Of e1pe-
rionce IN diplomatic Giairo must prevent hin from
perfectly understanding I'll ihs nlccies fri shades
OF exprefaion used in the diplomatic Dictionary and
it ia fpr to suppose tat lie, more than once, uisap
pretended tie real Significance and bearing OF tie
words ufei BY the French Minister. /! must AFRO
be remembered that Mr.. Dayton does not speak d
word Of French, ond that he had either to employ
an Interpreter or 10 Communicate with NJ. Thouye-
mel, who does not understand IL sliah. by meaua Of
rotes--a process always unsatisfactory and fertile IN
mistakes.
Thus, in tie case referred 70, am informed that
Mr. Dayton having observed TO Mr. Drouyn d
Lhuya that IN armisiice would not confer my benefit
upon any European Power, the French Minister
begged leave to differ with him. upon the grounC
that if an armislice was agreed upon between th'
TWO bolligeronts this would induce Mr. Lincoln I,
open a fow Southern potts. lie did not expect, bu
hoTed that !, would. lie was led to express TIA
hope because, Tie Mississippi River becoming thu
open 10 The produce Of the NORTH, tho French army
in Mexico might have been more conveniently sup
pied 81 New-0fleans than al New-York. III eA
pressing such hope, however, ho did not make Il
condition Of his proposition but left 10 to tho North t,
settle in which way aud On eLat terms she araisic,
should DO granted. lie thought, at the same time
that the free navigation Of the Mississippi, II granted
10 the Coufederacs and accepted by them, would b,
as advantageous 10 tho t.de Of tie North AZ TO thai
Of tho South.
Since have referred 10 tho French expedition e
Mexico, allow me to ray tlat tho Efforts made BY
come peT5ons 10 convert into contfab,nd Of war
tain articles purchased by the French Government
in New.Yolk for that army arc wholly unjusliable
We're Ire few hundred muic2 and wagons, tic shoy.
els aud spades, tie ous ues ana rails the -four anl
fruits, cent BY The French QuaHefrastcr Ut Now
York, pronounced contrabaud Of war iy our Con
gress, and Tie French forbidden 10 continue lhcii
purchases in our markets. this decision would GER
anly be followed by retalialory measures more
danapug 10 ~ tLnn TO them WIN ] Say dana
ding, refer not lees 10 material ineIc-ts lar
to our reputation fJr l.igness aud justice, which Il
tho best AID uob,st pat Of nations lie. In fact
We elo.ld reject cur own preeedents and condemn
our OWN ac, since 81 IL q public noioiie,y hat from
tie beginning Of tic war to tie prcicnt tho ~
have been constantly ing munitions Il val
from England and france. Mt father back thai
lost week, the manifest Of tho New-YOrk Custom
Houfe announced the arrival Of 3,i0J stands %
Mimic .ih,s. With bach fact before ms, DO no
zee Low We could deny 10 others, without iuinr' e
cur own claactar tie privilege OF cnuyiIg from
our slo,ee goods witch 10 nation LIS yet dcclaIo'
10 10 conl!abunl OF war.
Peuo-a gail 10 &c in he secret Of Louis Napo
eon'spolicy ave inclined 90 Link that ho has no
Iesisicd from hs Am,licln programme AMI that hii
twice rejected lcheao VI mediation wall soon make
ito Appearance ia Washington and he piesau,ed Il
NJ. Lncoln know that our firsishicd Premier
Secretary S98afd, has said aud 10 s,ll saying tina
his friend Louis Napoleon will do nothing Of tie
Kind; bal notwithstanding tie respect profess To-
the sapacty AMI forceigh, Of tho distinguished See