The Portland daily press., 1866-12-11
DAILY PRESS.
Tuesday Morning. December IL, 1855

PORTLAND.

ton of Mexico by the expedltlonary FORCES, no
subject for serious differences between France
and the United States would remain. The
exnre<.ions of the Emperor and people Of
France warrant hope that the Evolutionary
friendship between the two countries might in
that case be renewed and permanently restor-
ed This is obviously very grave language.
The serious differences which, according to
the message, have interrupted the Evolutionary
friendship of the two countries, are disclosed
in Che diplomatic correspondence which has
just been submitted to CONGRESS. 1t is well
known that friendly understanding has ex-
listed between the two governments, 70 the
effect taat the French troops should DC WIFI
drawn from Mexico, in three bodies, the first
to leave in November, 1860, the second In
March, and the last in November, 1867. On
the first day of November our Minister. at the
French court, Mr.. Bigelow, prompted by ru-
ners in the Paris newspapers, called on the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, and learn
ed with surprise that it was the Emperor's in
tention to withdraw all his troops in the
sprfng, but none before that time Mr.. Bige-
low then sought an inxerview with the Empe-
ror. We give Napoleon's explanation of the
new programme at length, as stated in Mr..
Bigelow's dispatch Of the Sth ult.
The Emperor said that it was true that he
had concluded to postpone the recall of any of
his troops until spring, but that in doing so he
had been influenced entirely by military con-
siderations AT the time he gave the order the
successes of the Dissidents, SUPPORTED as they
acre by rein orce,seats from the United States,
seemed to render any reduction OF his force
there perilous to those who remained behind.
He accordingly sent telegram to Marshal
Bazaine, who had already embarked regi-
ment-Eighty-f first think he said-but which
had fortunately been prevented from sailing by
unfavorable winds, directing him to embark no
troops until all are ready to come. This dis
patch, His Majesty said, was not sent in cipher,
that no secret might be made OF its tenor in the
UANEed States. The troops were then disem-
bafked and returned 10 Qrizaba. His Majesty
went on to say that he sent Gen. Castelnau to
Mexico about the same time, charged to in
form Macmillan that France could not give
him another man. If he thought he could sus-
tain himself there alone France would not
withdraw her troops faster than had been stip-
ulated for ~ Drouyn de L'Huys, should such be
his desire. But 1t, on the other hand he a0ds
disposed to obdacdte, Which soas the course HIS
Majesty counsslled him to take, Gen. Castelnau
was charged to find some 9overnment with
which to treat for the protestion OF French in
terests and to bring all the army home in the
spring. asked his Majesty if the President
OF the United States had been notified of this,
or if anything had been done to prepare his
mind for this change in His Majestys pol
icy. He said that he did not know that M. de
Moustier ought to have done SO. That as
these events occurred during the interim of a
change in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it
was possible that it had been neglected; though
his telegram to Marshal Bazaine was purpose
ly sent in way to show there was nothing IN
his plans to Disguise.
Mr. Bigelow adds that there is but one SEN
timent in France about the necessity OF aban-
doning Mexico as soon as possible, and that
he believes the Emperor is acting in entire
good faith towards us. The neglect to notify
this government is explained by the change of
plan occurring at time when Drouyn de
LHays was just laying aside andDe Monster
about assuming the duties OF the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. The reasons for withdraw
ing the whole army at once are not without
weight II, as Mr.. Digelow thinks, the En-
peror is acting in good faith and there is no
occasion to doubt 1.-THE complete evacua-
tion OF Mexico by the French next spring IN
stead of next November, will be entirely salts
factory to the American people, If the end
OF the French invasion could be brought
about this winter instead of next spring, it
would OF course be SO much the better
Whether we are prepared to go TO war in be-
calf of the Republic OF Mexico, Is another
question.
Mr. Seward appears to think We are. In his
reply to Mr.. Bigelows dispatch, he takes very
high tone. The Emperor's decision, he says,
us now found in every way inconvenient and
exceptionally and proceeds as follows: /,
We cannot acquiesce, first, because the ter m
next spring" as appointed for the entire
is indefinite and vague; secondly,
because We have no authority for stating to 4
Congress and to the American people that we
nave better guarantee for the withdrawal of
the whole expeditiOnary force in the spring
than we have heretofore had for the with
1rawal of part in November. Third, in full
reliance upon at least a literal performance of
the Emperor's existing agreement, we have
taken measures, while facilitating the antici-
pated french evacuation to cooperate with
the republican government of Mexico for pro-
noting the pacifcation of that country, and
for the early and complete restoration Of the
proper constitutional authority of that govern
ment, As part of those measures, Mr.. Camp
bell, our newly appointed Minister, attended by
Lieut.. General Sherman, has been sent to
Mexiso in order to confer with President QUAR-
ez on subjects which are deeply interesting to
the United States, and of vital Importance to
Mexico. Our policy and measures then adopt
ed in full reliance upon the anticipated begin
ming of the Evacuation of Mexico, were prompt
" made known to the French Legation here.
The Emperor will perceive that we cannot
now recall Mr.. Campbell, nor can we modify
the instructions under which he is expected to
treat, and under which he may even now be
treating with the republican government of
Mexico That government will, of course,
most earnestly desire and confidently expect
an early and entire discrimination of foreign
hostile occupation. You will therefore state
TO the Emperor's government that the Presi-
dent sincerely hopes and expects that the evac
lation of Mexico will be carried into effect
with such conformity to the existing agreement
As the inopportune complication which calls
tor this dispatch shall allow Mr.. Campbell
will be advised of that complication. In
structions will issue to the United States mill
rary forces of observation to await in every
case special directions from the President
This will be done with q confident expectation
that the telegraph or mail seasonably brings us
a satisfactory resolution from the Emperor in
reply to this note. tt ssH
A demand coupled with threat and accom-
panied by sneer--such are the contents of
this extraordinary dispatch. MI Seward re-
quires satisfactory" resolution by telegraph
or return mail, significantly adding that the
army of the United States will await special
directions from the President, and plainly as
sorting that the Emperor's promise snot suf-
ficient guaranty for the removal OF the troops
at the time specified After making all due r
allowance for the irritation naturally occa-
sionei by the unfortunate neglect to advise
the American government of the change of
programme, it is nevertheless impossible to
excuse the tone and temper of this dispatch.
If the design were to facilitate the retirement
Of the French troops, that end certainly is not
to be attained by making it impossible for the
French government to withdraw them with
out the humiliation OF apparently yielding to
a threat. Even if this government were pre-
pared to dictate and enforce an immediate
withdrawal of the French troops, such lam
guage as is here used is not becoming. The
representative of grea. nation need not re-