Daily national Republican., 1863-02-12
The French Minister'S Visit to RIC Chmond
Report OF Secretary Seward.

The French Mtnibter's Visit to IliChmOnd
Report OF Secretary Seward.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE following com
munication was transmitted to the Senate yes
terday;
To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES {:
The Secretary Of State, TO whom was referred
a resolution of tho Senate, passed on the 9th
day of February, instant, In these words, viz :
" Resolved, That the President of the United
States be requested to communicate to the
Senate, II not incompatible with the public in
terest, the character of thssuggestlons made by
the Secretary Of State OF the United States to
NJ. MercleT, the representative Of tho Emperor
of the French to this Government, as narrated
In his communication TO NJ. ThouvenOl, under
date of the 18th Of April last, which induced
NJ. Mercier to undertake his mission TO Rich
mond In that month, and what representation,
| II 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 -
That no suggestions were made TO Mr.. Mer-
cier by the Secretary of State that induced, or
were designed or calculated TO induce, him to
undertake u mission 10 Richmond In April last,
or at any other time. He was not then, nor
has he or any other person ever been authorized
by this Government, or by the Secretary ol
State, TO make any representations of any kind
or on any subject, TO the insurTectionary agents
or so-called authorities at Richmond, or TO hold
any communication with them ON behalf oI
this Government.
From the beginning of the present disturb
ances until the spring of 1889, this department
was charged with the authority of granting
passes or passports through the lines of the
Govcrnment forces. 1t carly became ques
tion whether foreign ministers residing In thu
United States should be denied such passports
1t was thought a sound and liberal policy Il
leave them free TO visit any part Of the country
to which they are accredited, so long as ther,
r should be no ground TO question their gooC
faith toward this Government. This has beoI
uniformly avowed as the course Of the Govern
mcnt. Accordingly passport was granted il
r the month of April 1861, TO his Excellence
Rudolph Schleiden, Minister Resident here o
the Republic Of Bremen.
A like passport was granted, in August 5th
1861, 10 the French minister, attended by hi
Royal Highness, the Prince Napoleon Jerome
then on visit TO this capital, and in April last
e similar passport to the French minister
4 These passports were granted at the request o
these distinguished persons respectively, an
not on any suggestion Of the Government o
Secretary OF State. They sevorally travelled Il
A a private and unofficial capacity. They Dor
no communication, whether formal or informal
verbal or written, from this Government o
r from the Secretary of State to any insurgonI
: and they brough none from any such person
: TO this Government or TO the Secretary OF btatC
I Since the 4th Of March, 1861, no commun
= cation, direct or indirect, formal or informa
: has been held by this Government, or by tn
Secretary of State, with the insurgents, the
J. alders or abettOrs. No passport has bee
l. granted to any foreign Minister to pass III
=. military lines except by the Presidents dire
10 tlon, aud each of such Ministers who has r.
ceved such passport has, on his return, wal
It cd upon the President, as well as the Secretar
,r of State, and given them such account, unasl
nA ha nT ha inpidnntE {
n his Journey. or course these statements arc
Is be qualified 80 far as the facts relating to Il
is communications concerning the exchange
n prisoners, and other military matters in char
Of the War Department, may affect them.
r., Respectfully submitted,
y WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
y Department of State, Washington, Februal
9th 1868.