The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-17
NapoleOn's Letter to Gen. Forey.
FoUNTA1NBLEAu, July 8, 1862.

y
My DEAR GENERAL At the moment
when you are about TO start for Mexico,
charged with political and military pow
ers, think il useful TO make you well
acquainted with my ideas.
THE line of conduct you will have to
follow is /. To publish on your arrival
n nrnclamaiion, che principal points OF
which will be indicated TO you. 2. To
receive with the greatest Kindness all
the Mexicans who shall present them
selves. 3. Not TO cspouse the quarrel
of any party 10 declare hat everything
is provisional, so long as the Mexican
nation shall not have expressed its opin-
ion; to show great Difference for religion,
but at the same time TO tranquilize the
holders of the national property. 4. To
feed, pay and arm, according TO your
means, the Mexican auxiliary troops,
and make them play principal parts in
the combats. 8. To maintain among
your. own troops, as well as among the
auxiliares, the most severe discipline (;
to vigorously suppress any act or word
insulting TO the MeXicans, for the pride
Of their character must not be forgotten,
and tits important for the success Of the
enterprise to cOnoiliale the good feelings
Of the people.
When we shall have reached the City
of Mexico il is TO be desired that the
principal persons Of all political shades
who have embraced our cause should
come TO an understanding with you to
organize provisional government. The
government will submit 10 the Mexican
people the question Of the political regime
which is TO be definitely established. An
assembly will be afterwards elected &C .
oording to the Mexican laws.
You will aid the new government TO
introduce into the administration, and
particularly into the finances, that regu-
larity Of which France offers the best
model For that purpose capable mer
will be sent TO second its new organiza-
ton.
The object to be attained is not e
impose on the Mexicans form of gov
eminent which would be obnoxious, but
20 assist them in their efforts 10 estab-
lish. according to their own wishes, a
government which may have a chance OF
stability, and can secure TO France the
settlement OF the injuries Of which sh,
has t0 complain.
Il follows, as matter of course, that
IL the Mexicaus prefer monarchy, il il
for the interest of France TO supper
them in that path.
There will not be wanting people wh'
will ask why we expend men aud money
10 found irregular government in Mexico
Ia the present state of the civilization
Of She world the prosperity Of AmericI
s. is not a matter Of Indifference % Europe
for il is that country which feeds on
! manufactures and gives an impulse {,
our commerce. We have an interest il
the republic Of the United Stotes bein.
powerful and prosperous, but not tina
she should take possession Of the who'll
Of the Gulf Of Mexico, thence command
the Antilles as well as South America
and be the only dispenser Of the products
OF the new world
We now zee by sad experience how
preoarious is the lot Of a branch Of man
ufacturo which is compelled 10 procure
its raw material IN single market, al
the yicissitudes Of which It has 20 bear
II, on the contrary, Mexico maintain
her independence and the integrity O.
her territory, IL a stable government
be there constituted with the assistance
of France, we shall have restored 10 th'
Latin race on the other side Of the At
lanlio all its strength and it's prestige
we shall have guaranteed security 10 ou
West India colonies and "a those o
Spain; we shall have established on
friendly influence in the centre Of Amer
lea; and that influence, by creating i'm
mense markets for our commerce, vii
procure US the raw materials indispen
sable for our manufactures.