Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-28

/ turning the tables against them. The true
policy is to prescribe all Radicals, and appoint
onlv conservative Republicans to Office.
The United States-France-Austria.
The important diplomatic correspondence
between the Secretary of State and the French
Minister in relation to ancO-Mexican affairs,
communicated by the President to Congress,
gives satisfactory evidence that the long nego-
tiations on this interesting subject have at
length been brought to a happy conclusion
These negotiations have been conducted by
Mr.. SEWARD with more than his accustomed
tact. adroitness and ability. The existence oil
the American war was ayailed of by the san
ouine French Emperor to carry out policy IN
Mexico as repugnant to the present views as 10
IN. ancient traditions of this Government. Mt
Srw,Rp's position was full of unpleasant en-
barrassments and perplexilies so long as that
war lasted. He could not strike blow to
prevent the inauguration of the Emperor's pol
icy, for his Government was involved in
struggle that taxed to its utmost all its i'm
mense resources. He could not indulge in
threats, for they would have tended to Stimu-
late France to aggressive measures that this
Government would have been unable to meet.
In place of force and intimidation he was COM
PEELED to resort to those higher qualities of the
diplomat-tact, shrewdnesS, management, ad-
dress. For four years he conducted this deli
cate affair with these weapons. The cessa-
ton of the American war relieved him from
many embarrasSments, and transferred
those embarrassments to the French Emperor.
The latter had gone 50 far that it was feared
he might feel that he could not retreat with
honor Had Mr.. SEWARD at this time assumed
- high, naughty and offensive tone, he would
have excited the resentment of the French
Emperor, and wounded the pride and sensibili-
ties of that susceptible and chivalrous nation.
This he had the good sense and good taste to
avoid. lie desired to accomplish two objects {;
to bring about the withdrawal Of the French
troops, and to effect it without precipitating
war with France. The correspondence re-
terred to shows the accomplishment of these
two objects The French, by the agreement
obtained, are to be withdrawn in three detach-
ments-One in November of this year, the sec
ond in May, 1867, and the last in November,
lSG7-so that, in less than eighteen months,
the whole French force will evacuate Mex
leo.
COntemporaneOusly almost with the arrival
of the two governments at this understanding
information reaches Mr.. SEWARD to the effect
that a treaty has been entered into between
the Emperor Of Austria and ''Prince MAxINIL-
rAN,' as Mr.. SEWARD styles him, g who claims
to be an Emperor in Mexico" by which the
former stipulates to furnish troops to the lat
ter. Mr.. SEWARD at once addresses himself to
the subject, and writes to Mr.. MOTLEY, at vi
emma, the following letter, which inaugurates
with Austria precisely such a negotiation as
has Just been concluded with France:
"MR. SEWARD To MR.. MOTLEY.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, April l6, 1866
q" SIR I have had the honor TO receive your dis
patch Of the 9th March, mo 1861 which brings the
important announcement that a treaty called
Military Supplementary Convention " was ratified
on the 10Th Of that month between the Emperor of
Austria and Prince MAMMALIAN, who claims TO be
ln Emperor in MEXICO. GOn inform me that it Is
expected that about one thousand volunteers will be
shipped under the treaty from Trieste TO Vera Cruz
very soon, and that at least many more will be
shipped in Autumn. I have heretofore given you
he Presidents Instructions to ask for explanations,
aud COndtOnally 70 inform the Government Of Aus
ria that the dispatch of military expeditions by
Austria under such arrangement as the one which
seems now to have been cOnsummated would be re-
sirded with serious concern by the United States.
The subject has now been further considered in con-
Il =. - IL H..
received The time seems to have arrived when the
attitude of this Government in relation TO MeX-
can affairs should be at once again frankly and dis
tinctly made known 70 the Emperor of Austria and
all other Powers whom it may directly concern. The
United states for reasons which seem to them to be
Just, and to have their foundations in the laws Of
nations maintain that the domestic Republican Co
vernmeRt with which they on relations of friendly
communication is the only legitimate Government
existing in Mexico; that has for period OF
several years been waged against that Republic by
the Government Of France, which was begun with
a disclaimer of all political or dynastic designs;
that that war has subsequently taken upon itself
and now distinctly wears the character of an Eu-
ropean Intervention to overthrow that domestic
Republican Government and to erect in its stead
an European imperial military despOtsm by mill
tary force. The United States, in view Of the char
acter of their own political institutions, their
proximity and intimate relations toward Mexico
and their Just influence on the political affairs
Of the American Continent, cannot consent to the
accomplishment of that purpose by the means
described. The United States have therefore adj
dressed themselves as they think reasonably to the
Government of France, and have asked that its
military forces engaged in that Objectionable pOlti-
cal invasion may desist from further Intervention
and be withdrawn from Mexico.
A copy of the last communication upon the sub
iect, which was addressed by the United States to
the Government Of France is herewith transmitted
for your special information. This paper will give
you the tue situation of the question. It will also
enable YOU 10 satisfy the Government of Vienna that
the United States must be less opposed to military
intervention for political objects hereafern Mexico
by the Government of Austria, than they are OPP
posed to any further intervention Of the same char
acter in that country by France. You will, there
fore, act at Us early day as may be convenient;
bring the whole case in a becoming manner
to the attention of the Imperial Royal Gov
eminent You are authorized to state that
the United States sincerely desires that Austria amy
lind il Just and eNpedient to come upon the same
ground of nOn-interventiOn in Mexico which is main
tanned by the United States and TO which they have
invited France. You will communicate to US the
answer of the Austrian Government to this PROPOSE
ton. This Government could not but regard a mat
ter Of serious concern, the dispatch of any troops
from Austria for Mexico while the subject which
YOU thus directed 10 present TO the Austrian
Government remains under consideration.
3" / am sir, your Obedient servant.
"WN. H. SEWARD.
-. LOTHROP MOTLEY, Esq, Vienna"