Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-20
NEW MEDIATION SCHEME.
PROPOSITION FROM FRANCE AND OUR
REPLY.
ABLE LETTER OF MR.. SEWARD.
The following correspondence was commu-
nicated to Congress on Thursday last;

ABLE Ibl EN- VI NH. DEW AMI
The following correspondence was commu-
nicated to Congress on Thursday last;
lM Drouyn dLHuysto NJ Mereier
DEPARTMENT OF FoRHiGs AFFAIRS,
Political Division Paris, och Jan 1868.
sIRi--In forming the purpose Of assisting by the
prohcr Of good Offices to shorten the period of those
hostities which desolAng the American continent.
have TO be guided beyond ALL by the friendship which
actaes the government Of the Emperor in regard the
United States. The Of our overurcs might chill
the with which follow the fluctuations Of the
contest, but the sentiment to which have yielded is
too sincere for indifference to find place in thought
that should cease to be painfully Affected whilst the
war continues rage. We cannot regard without pro-
found regret, this war worse than civil comparable to
the mo terrible distractions of the ancient republics,
and whose disasters multiply in proportion to the resour
and the vaor which each Of the bcgerent parties
develops The government Of his majesty have there
fore seriously examined the questions which have been
made 10 where we have suggested the idea Of friend
ly mediation and have asked ourselves whether they
truly ola nature to set aside as premature every
tentative to reconciliation. On one part has en- op
posed 10 the repuguanoc Of the United states TO ad
init the intervention Of foreign influence in this dispute
on the other hope which the federal government has
abandoned Of attaining is solution by force OF arms
Assuredy. 10 the good ohces OF one or sev
era neutral powers contains nothing Incompatible with
the pride 50 legitimate In great nation, and means
purely international those alone which furnish
examples OF the useful character Of mediation.
Wehaer ourselves, besides, that in proterng 20 place
ourselves At the disposal Of the bcigerent parties to
IA iae between their negotiations the basis Of which
abstain from pIeJqdgng we have manifested TO the
patriotism Of the United States all the combinations TO
sbich it ia entitled Now perhaps still than ever,
after such proof Of moral force and energy, are
the less ready in the wishC. which ffm in IA
vor Of peace to take into account all the susceptbes
Of national feeling, and do not at all question the
right Of the federal government to decline the co-opera-
tUn OF the great maritime powers OF Europe But this
cooperation is II not the pnly which Offers itself
TO the Cabinet Of Washington to hasten the close Of the
war or il it believes that ought to repe any foreign in
tervenon could not honora0y accept the idea 81 direct
pOHypariersf Informal conferences with the authority
which may represent the States ofthe South
The federal government does not despair, We know,
OF giving active impulse to hostilities. It's
fdccs have not exhausted is still less its
aud It's stcadfAstntss The pIoracton OF
the struggle in word has not shaken its confidence In
the dehnyc succesof its tfoft but the opening Of IN
formal conferences between the beligerent parties does
not ccssai imply the immediate cessation Of HOSTILE
ties Negotiations about ieace are not always the con
sequence OF the suspension Of war Tor they pecede on
the contrary, Often the establishment OF atucc.--
How many times have We not seen penipotcntaries
sental pruvi Of treaties rcsolso in fine the essential
questions Of peace war, whilst the leaders " armies
continued ia the strife and endcayOfed even 10 the latest
moment. modify by force Of arms the conditions Of
peace. To recall only illustration drawn tom the
history # the United States: the negotiations which
coDsecraed their independence, we're commenced long
before hosties had ceased IN the new world and The
armistce established until the act Of the Both
November 1872, which, under the Of provisional
articles embraced in advance the principal clauses Of the
dehnitiye treaty Of 1888. Nothing therefore, would
hinder the gv Of the United States without
I !
the continuation VI the from entering upon in
formal conference with the consid ration Of the South
In they should show themselves disposed thereto
Representatives or commissioners Of the two parties
C ud assemble at such point II should be deemed
proper designate and which could for this purpose
declared neutral and reciprocal Complaints could be
examined into this meeting in place OF the accusation,
which the North and South mutually cast upon each 9TH
At this time would be substituted argumenatiyc
discussion Of the interests which divide them. They
would seek by OF veil ordered and profound
Deliberations whether these interests defnitiycly ir
reconcable; whether separation is an extreme which
longer be avoided whether the ties of kind
and whole federaye State. and have borne them to
so high degree OF prosperity not more powerful
than the causes which have placed in the hands Of
the two populations. negotiation the aspect Of which
would be thus determinatYe would involve any
the objections raised against the diplomatic Intervention
Of Europe, and without giving birth to the hopes
a the Immediate conclusion VI arnistice, would
ercise happy influence on The march OF events.
Why, therefore, should combination which re-
poets all the relations Of the United States obtain tho
appreciation Of the federal governmental Persuaded. on
part, 1t is in conformity with their interests
do hesitate 20 recommend it to their attention
and not ha wing sought in the project OF mediation OF tho
aratme poWers Of Europe any vain display OF influence
would applaud with entire freedom from all suscepti-
bility Of sefestee the opening Of negotiation which
would invite the two populations to discuss without the
cooperation OF Europe, the solution Of their dhcrtnces
Irequcst you sir give this 10 the cabinet
at Washington, while mmtnding 20 its wisdom coun
sells dictated by the int rest in the prospeI
~ Of the United States You are moreover authorized
copy Of this dispatch.
Accept, SIR the assurance Of my high consideration.
DRoVYS al HUYs.
TOM. Mercier, Minister Of France, at Washington.