Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-14
INTELLIGENCE.
TnE rNlFED STATES AND MEXICO.
Interesting Diplomatic Correspondence,
-Dispafehes from sc. Tetary seWnha -
MIR. Layton, ard NJ. Godfrey. ca ~
sEcRErARY SEWARD 10 Mr.. DAYTON.

-Dfspafches from Sc. rotary seward %
MIR. Layton, and vi. Godfrey. ~
SECRETARY SEWARD TO MR.. DAYTON.
DEPARrmzNT OF STATE, WAsHNeToN,
Feb. 81, 1864. Sir: Your dispatch OF
Feb. 9, No. l49, has been received. In
this Communication you mentien that
the Archduke Macmillan, of Austria,
is expected in Paris, and that clrcum-
stances NAV arise in which 1T will be
necessary for You to attend, or decline
To attend, ceremonies which may De
observed In his honor as a sovereign OF
Mexico, and you ask instructions upon
the question. If the Archduke Maxi
milan appear In Paris only in his char
acter as an Imperial Prince OF the
House of Hapsburg, you will be expect
al m he neither demonstIat alive nor
reserved in your department toward
him. If he appears there with any as
sumption of authority or title in Mexico,
Won will entirely refrain from inter
conrse with him. Should your proceed
mos become a subject of inquiry or re-
1oerk Won will be at liberty, In the ex-
ercise of your own discretion, 10 say
that this government, In view OF It's
RIGHTS and duties in the present conlnnc-
tnre of its affairs, has prescribed hxed
rnIes To be observed, not only by TINS
department, but by its representatives
in foreion countries. We acknowledge
revolutions only by direction OF the
President. upon full and mature consld-
Grafton. Until such regular authority
for recognition, we do not hold formal
or informal communications with poItl-
cal agents or representatives OF revolu-
t;onaTv movements in countries with
which we maintain diplomatic intor
course. WILLIAM H. DE" AisD'
WILLIAM T.. DAYTON, Esq, &C., &c.
SECRETARY SEWARD TO NJ GODFREY.
Mr. Seward. in the course of his note
to Mr.. Godfrey, representing the French
Government, dated Washington, April
6, 1864, says:
ssYou also inform me in your last
mentioned note that French forces have
been directed toward Sonora, and you
hiring 10 my knowledge rumors that a
yerv considerable number of emlgrants
from California have lately dlsemDarked
at Guaymas. and have established them
selves In the country by virtue of grants
which were made them by JUAREZ, whom
Won describe as Ex-President; you fur
fher state that the mission of the French
forces is to prevent, in Sonora, the TAX
inc possession of estates under such
Grants. the lawfulness of which. you
saw. VIII never be admitted; and you
suggested TO me the expepiency OF max
ing this information known to American
citizens who might de destined to al
low themselves to be drawn INTO such
speculations.
While appreciate the frankness and
the goodwill which the Emperors gov
eminent manifests in thus communlcat
ingits views and purposes on the sub
iect mentioned, it, nevertheless, remains
nv duty to say that this government
has long recogized, and still does con
Time to recognize, the constitutions
government Of the United States o
Mexico as the sovereign authority In thai
country. and the President, Benito Jua
req, as its chief This government. a
the same time, equally recognizes the
condition of war existing in Mexico be
tween that country and France. We
maintain absolute neutrality between
fine belligerents, and we do not assume
10 indigo. much less to Judge IL
advance. of the effect of the war upon
titles or estates. We have no knOwI
edge of such an emigration from Cali
fornia to Sonora as you have described
in your note but, if such an emlgra
ton has taken place, those persons who
TINS emigrate will, of course, be re
garded as subiecting themselves to the
authority and laws by which the rights
of citizens of Mexico are governed, ano
while it seems unnecessary for the Pres
ident to assume that such emigrants vii
claim the protection of this government
for any estate of whatever kind they may
attain or attempt to attain in Mexico, II
would certainly be presumptious to at
tempt now to decide upon the validity
of such claim.
Peaceful emigration from the United
States is entirely free from any restraint
or influence of the government. Emil
grants themselves are generally vel
Informed concering their rights. Under
these circumstances. any interference O
the government concerning such emil
grafton. would be as inexpedient as Il
would be without precedent. The cast
would be Different if the act of emigra
ton was attended with preparations anC
purposes hostile to Mexico, or to elthel
beIEgerent party, or to any other nation
and. therefore, incompatible with the
laws of the United States or with the
laws of nations. It is believed that thu
Government of the United States ha'
already sufficiently indicated the view!
If must take in such case it 1t should
occur, which, however. there seems nc
immediate reason to apprehend.