Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-16
Diplomatic Correspondence with France
The French Mediation Proposition.

/ Diplomatic Correspondence with France
The French Mediation Proposition.
The dispatches laid before the Senate on
Thursday last by Secretary Seward, being
copies of his correspondence with the
French Foreign Minister and our own
Minister to the French Court, are too vo-
luminous for publication in full. We there
fore give an abstract of them:
Under date Of November 10Th, 1862, Mr..
Dayton writes to NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys, q
review of the geographical situation of
the two sections, North and South, and of
the movements of the armies during the
year, accompanying this with statistics
regarding the population and resources of
the South. This is in response to ques-
tons asked by the French Minister at q
previous interview.
Upon the 28d of November, NJ. Drouyn
de Lhuys writes to Mr.. Dayton, acknowl-
edging the receipt of the above, saying
that it is certainly of a nature to make
me appreciate all the resources of your
Government" He adds, however, that the
conditions Of soil and climate seem to op-
pose insuparable objections to theprogress
of the struggle and the energy Of both
sides tends to impress upon it character
Of ind5mitable desperation. He gives the
assurance that France will be ready at
any time to lend her cooperation in seek
ing or concerting the means of terminating
the struggle
Upon November 26th, Mr.. Seward writes
to Mr.. Dayton that neither NJ. Mercier or
any other person has had the least war
rant for representing to his Government
that the Pre- ident would entertain any
proposition in regard to the settlement of
our domestic difficulty from any foreign
quarter whatsoever. The exact contrary
has been the policy at all times.
Two days later Mr.. Seward writes a
very strong letter regarding the PROPOSE
tiOn made by France to England and Rus
STA 20 join in mediation. He says:
Gan inconclusive conference concern
ing the United States has been held be-
tween these powers, all of whom svow
themselves as friends of the United States;
and yet the United States were carefully
excluded from the conference.
The United States has continually said to
all Europe that they know the saving Of
the American Union depends on the Amer
ican people, and not at all on the policies
Of foreign States, seVerally or combined.
Such States may, as they have heretofore,
prolong and egitate our unnatural and Ia
mented strife by exciting or maintaining
the hopes Of our disloyal citizens. But
they cannot change our purpose to main
tain the integrity Of the Union, or defeat
its accomplishment. This Government
will in all cases seasonably warn
Foreign Powers Of the injurious effect
Of any apprehended interference on
their part, and having done this, it
will measure its means Of self-defence by
the magnitude OF the dangers with which
the country is threatened"
December 11th Mr.. Seward writes to
Mr.. Dayton to acknowledge the cordial as
given by NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys
upon the 23d of November.
January 18th Mr.. Dayton notifies Mr.. |
Seward that the French Minister is about |
TO send NJ. Mercier proposition, to sub
NIT to him (Mr. Seward, for aconsultstiOn
to induce peace. This proposition We
submitted to the Emperor on the 9Th and /
on the 18th.
Then follows the most important cOmmu-
nicatiOn of the series, it being the letter of
N. DrOuyn de Lhuys to N. Mercier. Ha7-
ing stated the objections which would be
felt by the United States to accept the in