Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-12

MIR. NIercier and MIR. Seward.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE following
communication was transmitted to the senate
to-day
To the President Of the United States -
The secretary of state, to whom was referred
a resolution of the senate, passed on the 9th
of February instant, in these words, viz. =
''Resolved, that the president of the United
States be requested to communicate with the
senate, if not incompatible with the public in
teresls, the character of the suggestions made
by the secretary of state of the United States
to M. MERCER, the representative OF the en-
peror of the French, to this government, as
narrated in his communication to M. Thou
venel, under date of April 10 last, which in
duced Mr.. MERCER to undertake his mission
to Richmond in that month, and what repre-
sensations, if any, he was authorized to make
from this government or from the secretary
of state to the confederate authorities has
the honor to submit the following report =
Thatsuggestions were not made to M. Mer-
cier by the secretary of state, that induced or
were designed or calculated to induce him
to undertake a mission to Richmond in April
last, or at any other time. He was not
there, nor has he or any other person been
authorized by this government or by the
secretary of state, to make any representa-
tons of any kind, or on any subject, to the
insurredtionary agents or so-called authori-
ties at Richmond, or to hold any communi-
cation with them on behalf of this govern
ment
From the beginning of the present dis
turbances till the spring of 1862, this depart
ment was charged with the authority of grant
ing passes or passports through the lines OF
the government forces. 1t early became Il
question whether foreign ministers residing in
the United States should be denied such pass
ports. 1t was thought a sound and liberal
policy to leave them free to visit any part Of
the country to which they are accredited, so
long as there should be no ground to question
their good faith toward this government. This
has been uniformly avowed as the course of
the government.
Accordingly passport was granted in the
month of April, 1861, to his excellency Ru-
dolph Schleiden, minister resident here of the
republic of Bremen. like passport was
granted in August, 1861, to the French min
lister, attended by his royal highness the prince
jerome Napoleon, then on Il visit to this cabi-
net; and then, in April last, similar pass.
port to the French minister. These passports
were granted at the request of those dstin-
guished persons respectively, and not on any
suggestion of the government or secretary of
state. They severally travelled in private
and unofficial capacity.
There has been accommodation, whether
formal or informal, verbal or written, from
this government or the secretary of state to
any of the insurgents, and they brought none
from any such persons to this government, or
to the secretary of state. Since the 4th OF
March, 1861, no communication, direct or in
direct, formal or informal, has been held by
this government or by the secretly Of state
with the insurgents, their aiders or abettors
no passport has been granted to any foreign
minister to pass the military lines, except by
the presidents direction, and each of such
ministers who has received such passp)rt,
has, upon his return, waited upon the presi-
dent, as well as the secretary of state, and
given them such accounts, unasked, as he
thought proper of the incidents of his journey.
Of course these statements are to be quail
fed, so far as the facts relating to commune
cations concerning the exchange of prisoners,
and other military matters in charge of the
war department, may affect them.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD,
Dept of State, Washington, Feb g. 1868.