Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-19

II has been the Presidents purpose that
France should be respectfully informed upon
two points, namely:
Frst-That the United States earnestly
desire to continue and cultivate sincere
friendship with France w as
Second That this policy woaid be brought
into Imminent jeopardy ssaiess France could
deem il consistent nth her interests and honor
10 desist from he prosecution Of drmcd integvefs-
lion IN Mcrico 20 orerthrop the domestic repub-
iicsra government eristiag there, and TO establish
upon its ruias the foreign monarchy which has
been attempted to be iaaagTdted IN ne capital
of that country. ~
In answer to an exposition of our views
which was thus made, the suggestion was
offered to you by NJ. Druyn de Lhuys that
the Government of the United States might
favor the express desire Of the Emperor to
withdraw from Mexico, by giving him some
formal assurance that in the event of his
withdrawal, this Government would recog-
nize the institution of Macmillan in Mex
leo as de facto political power. 1t was my
desire, in framing the dispatch No. 500, to
express in behalf ofthe United States de-
cision that the recognition Wkich the Empcror
had thus suggested, cannot Be made.
THE PROPOSITION OF FRANCE TO THE
WASHINGTON CABINET.
Druyn de Lhgys, the French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, on the 10th of October made
the following proposition to the Government
at Washington. They are contained in
letter to the Marquis de Monthalon, French
Ambassador to the United States:
al have taken several occasions in the
past two months to advise Won of the dis
positions of the Imperial Government con-
cernlng the duration OF the occupation OF
Mexico by the French troops. | told you
in my dispatch of August 18th, that We
called with our most sincere wishes for the
day when the last French soldier should
leave the country, and that the Cabinet of
Washington could contribute to hasten that
moment. On the I'd Of September | re-
newed to You the assurance of our strong
desire to withdraw our auxiliary corps so
soon as circumstances should allow it. At
last, following the same ideas more fully, in
private letter Of the 10th of the same
month, | added that it greatly depended
upon the United States to facilitate the de-
parture of our troops. If they would adopt
toward the Mexican Government an AMIGA
bic attitude which would aid to the consoli-
dation of order, and in which we could find
motives Of security for the interest which
obliged US to carry arms beyond the
Atlantic, we could be ready to adopt with
out delay the bases of an understanding ON
the subject with the Cabinet of Washing
ton; and wish to make fully known to
you now the views of the Government Of
his Majesty.
What we ask Of the United States is to be
the consolidation of the new order of things
founded in Mexico; and the best guarantee
that we could receiye of their intention
would be the recognition of the Emperor
Maximilian BY the Federal Government.
Mexico, it il true, is still occupied at this
moment By the French army, and we can
readily see that This objection will arise
But the acknowledgment of the Emperor
Maximilian by the United States would, in
onr opinion, have sufficient influence upon
the state of the country to allow us to take in
consideration their susceptibilities on this
subject; and should the Cabinet at Washing
ton decide 10 open diplomatic relations with
the Court of Mexico, we wouId see no diff
Guilty in entering into an arrangement for
the recall of our troops within reasonable
period, of which we would might consent
e.
SECRETARY SEWARD'S REPLY
The effect of the Emporor's suggestions,
when they are reduced to practical shape
seems to be this: that France is willing to
retire from Mexico as soon as she may, but
that it would be inconvenient for her without
first receiving from the United States an as
surance of friendly or tolerant disposition
to the Power which has assumed to itself an
imperial form in the capital city of Mexico.
The President is gratifed with the assu-
rance you have thus given of the Emperor's
good disposition. regret, however, 70 be
oblige to say that the condition the Empe-
ror suggests is one which seems quite inn
practicable.
1t il true, indeed, that the presence Of for
eign armies in an adjacent country could
mot, under any circumstances, but cause un-
'easiness and anxiety on the part of this gov
ernment. Il creates for us expenses which
are incOnvenient, not TO speak of dangers Of
collisions. Nevertheless, cannot but infer
from the tenor Of your communication that
the principal canse OF the discomfort pre-
vailing in the United States in regard TO
Mexico is not fully apprehended by the
Emperor's government. The chief cause is
not that there is a foreign army in Mexico;
much less does that discomfort arise from
the circumstance that that foreign army il a
French one. We recognize the right Of
sovereign nations 70 garry on war with each |
aiher II they do Ilbt invade our right or
menace COR safety or Just influence. The !
real cause Of ous national discomfort is, that |
the French army, which i now in Mexico,
is invading domestic republican govern
ment there which was established by her |
people, and with whom fondly, for the |
avowed purpose OF suppressing ii aisd |
establishing upon its ruins foreign
monarchIesI government, whose presence
there, 80 long as it should endure, could not
but be regarded BY the people Of the United |
States as injurious and menacing TO their
own chosen and endearcd republican institn-
ticns.
I admit that the United States do not feel i
Themselves called upon 10 make war OF |
proPagandism throughout the world, or even !
on this continent IN the republican caslse.
We have Sufficient faith in the eventual sue |
Gers Of that eause ON this continent, through |
the operation ofexisting material and more |
causes, 10 induce ~ 70 acqniesce in the con-
dition Of thiags which ws found existing i
here, while our own republic was receiving |
its shape and development. On the other |
hand. we have constantly maintained, and |
still feel bound % maintain. fhat The people |
Of every State on the American continent /
have right 10 secure for themselves re-
publicsn government II they choose, and !