Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-28
to despatch Of the 9th Of October from Mr.. Day
ton, 10 which the latter wrote as follows:

" = u06PeeoA VI the Stn OF OctoDer from MI Day
ton, 10 which the latter wrote as follows:
:" brought out your views however in the course Of
general conversation about Mexican affairs asked OF
Mr. Drouyn de pHuys what character Of test was to be
adopted with view to learn the wishes of that country
Mexco a. to its form of government He said that the
vote OF INC entire country and Of all its departments
Wnotnor tho French were not in their s0D
would DC TAKEN and II upon ito regstries it should appear
That large majority Of the whole population Spanish and
were favorable to monarchical form Of
ment no supposed that would be sufficient He thought
there would be difficulty applying this test aud show
ing large numerical majority in favor of the Archduke
and that form OF government.
Mr Drouyn de pHuys went to say that the dangers
OF the government OF the Archduke w0ui principally
from the United States, and the we showed
selves satisfied aad manifested willingness to enter into
peaceful relations with that the would
France be ready to leave Mexico and e new
70 take care OF ITSELF which France would any event.
do as soon it with propriey could but that 1t would
not lead or tempt tho Archduke into difficulty, and then
that France could not dAhat He said that the early
acknowledgment 81 that Government By the United States
icond tend 10 shorten perhaps he said to end all The
ironbiesos complications Of France IN that country; that
they UOutd hereupon quit Mexico
told him that without having any authority from my
Government to say should scarcely suppose that
under the circumstance would expect the United
States to make haste acknowledge new monarchy
Mexico but would report his views to the Government
az nome; not suggesting however that any would
Dc given In the course Of conversation he took
repeat their disclaimer OF
20 interfere with Texas to make seek any
interest control in Mexico He said that situation
next neighbour entitled to influence there paramount
that OF dstaat European countries and that France
her great distance from the scene would not be guilty OF
Jolly Of desiring or attempting TO interfere with u.s."
It will be remembered that in his reply to the
suggestion Of the French Government urging an
early recognition of the new monarchy in Mexico,
Mr. Seward wrote as follows in his note of last
October 23d:
Itis proper that Mr. Drouyn Hugs should Informed
that the United States continue to regard Mexico the
theatre of which has yet ended in the subverson Of
the Government long existing there with which the United
States remain 10 the relation of peace and sincere friend
ship and that for this reason the United States
now at liberty to consider the question of recognising
Government which, in the further chances Of war, may
come into it's place. The United States consistently with
their principles, can do otherwise than leave the dest
nles OF Mexico in the keeping of her people and
mise their sovereignty and Independence in whatever form
they themselves shall choose that this sovereignty and in
dependence shall be manifested"
It is important to note, at this stage Of our re-
view, that when the French Government suggested
to the United States Government recognition of
the proposed Empire in Mexico, Gen Banks was
at New Orleans, the whole of Texas was in the
possession of the insurgents, and every attempt
that had been previously made to raise the ma
tiona banner in that quarter had failed, while Mr.
Slidell was understood to be negotiating for the
sale of Texas to Louis Napoleon. And, under
these conditions of the case, it is thought by some
rejecting men that this Government acted more
wisely in sending Gen. Banks to regain Texas and
in avoiding threats, while informing the Emperor
that his war against Mexico was not yet end d,
than it would have done by threatening that, after
our war should be over, we would then proceed 10
drive out any Government that the Mexican peo-
pie, "by free and universal suffrage" might have
set up in the mean time.
It is not quite clear that such threat would
nave made Gen. Banks's landing and occupation
of Texas any more safe or certain, though it is
made perfectly plain by the representations of Mr..
Dayton that the emissaries and sympathizers of
secession in Paris were anxiou, t. have our Co.
vernment do at that time what some shortsi GIFTED
critics i the Loyal States now blame it for having
the discretion to avoid It will be remem bered
that on the 14th Of September last Mr.. Dayton
wrote that the idea was carefully nursed and cir
,ulated by the friends Of secession" in Paris that
our Government :" only awaited the termination Of
bur domestic troubles to drive the French out of
Mexico" and he added that if such appeared to
be our game, the French natura ally concluded that
IN such case it "would be safest to choose their
,wn time" We can well understand Why it should
have been the policy of the se,essionsts in Paris
Ind elsewhere to ascribe such laundering pur-
pose to our Government Hoe Hlacus velt, ct
,,agno nsercentur 4trids. But how any sensible
friend of the Government should make it ground
# reproach to the Secretary of State the. he failed
o fall into such trap passes our comprehension
When Gen. Banks had effected successful
anding and occupation upon the Rio Grande, we
ind Mr.. Seward, on the the 23d of November last,
writing to him as follows, after directing him "to
Ivoid any departure from lawful neutrality and any
and unlawful enlargement Of the pre-
TENT field of war;"
But at the time you will be expected to observe
military and political events they occur in Mexico and
communicate all that shall be for this Gov
,rnment to understand copcsrnng them 1t is hardly ne
esary to say that any suggestions you may think proper
give for the guidance OF the Government in its relations
owards Mexico will be considered with that profound
aspect which IL always paid to tho opinions which you
EXPRESS In making this have endeavora
avoid entering into the sphere your military opera
ions, and TO condne myself simply 10 that In which YOU
re IN contact with the political movements now going on
n Me xico."
And to Mr. Corwin, our Minister in Mexico, the
secretary OF State As late as the 23d Of last De-