The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-01-17
Message frem the President Concerning Mexico
and the Recognition of the Empire.


WASHINGTON, january 9.-The President
to-day transmitted to the House of Repre-
sentatives, in compliance with the resolution
of the 10Th ultimo, requesting information in
regard to steps taken by any European
Power to secure recognition by the United
States of the so-called Mexican Empire, a
report from the Acting Secretary Of State and
the papers by which it was accomplished.
The first of these papers is communica-
ton from Senior Arrego to Mr.. Corwin, of
March End, 1855, in which he desires to ascer-
tain whether the Mobilization recognition of
our Consuls can be obtained. He also says
that the government, which was that of Don
Benito Juarez, does not exist, whether de
tacto or de jars. A memorandum from Mr.
Seward notes that the Marquis de Montholon,
on the 18th of July, called at the Department
of State saying that special agent had ar
rived from Mexico, bearing q letter from
Macmillan to the President of the United
States which paper made certain explana-
tons relative to matters on the Rio Grande
The Secretary, after conference with the
President, returned the letter to Montholon
saying that the United States was in friend
ly communication with the Republican Gov
eminent of Mexico, and the President de-
clined to receive the letter or hold inter-
course with the agent who brought it. On
August 9th, in replyto communication from
Mr.. Romero to Acting Secretary Hunter,
asking whether the government recognized
the right of Macmillan to make the appoint
ment of commercial agent in New York, in
which position Don Louis Arrego was act
ing, Mr.. Seward says that no law of the
United States prevented person from adj
vertising himself as Consul; but that this
Government, in all its official correspondence
has recognized no other government in Mexi-
co except that of Juarez and assures him
that shch commercial agent can perform no
consular act relating to the affairs of his
countrymen in the United States. To pro-
hibit him from attesting invoices and mani
testoes, says the Secretary, would be tanta-
mount to an Introduction of trade between
the United States and those Mexican ports
which are not in the possession of the Re
publican Government of that country.
On the 9th of November, Mr.. Seward adj
dressed a letter to Minister Bigelow, saying
that the present, operations of the French
army in Mexico and its maintenance of au-
thority there, is cause of serious concern to
the United States. The authority which the
French army is maintaining is indirect an
tagonism to the policy of this Government
and the principle on which it is founded
He further says that the United States re-
CARDS the attemptto establish, permanently, a
foreign and Imperial Government in Mexico
as disallowable and impracticable They are
not prepared to recognize any political insti-
buttons in Mexico which are in opposition to
the Republican Government with which we
have SO long and so constantly maintained
relations of amity and friendship.
Mr.. Bigelow, under date Of November IA,
reports reading the dispatch to M. Drouyn
de LHuys, who thanked him, though he
felt obliged to say that he derived neither
pleasure nor satisfaction from its contents.
Mr.. Seward, on December 10th, says it is
the Presidents purpose that France be re-
| spectfully informed upon two points: First.
| That the United States earnestly desire to
cultivate sincere friendship with that Gov
eminent. Secondly. That this policy would
be brought into immediate jeopardy unless
| France could deem it consistent with her in,
terests to desist from the prosecution of
armed intervention in Mexico to overthrow
the domestic Republican Government exist
ing there, and establish upon its ruins the
foreign monarchy which has been attempted
to be inaugurated in the capital of that
country. And, in conclusion, he says that
/ the United States will not recognize Maxi
| milan even if the French troops should be
\ withdrawn from Mexico.
! The papers submitted include confiden-
tel letter from M. Drouyn de LHuys, to
Marquis. Montholom, dated Paris, October,
1865, saying that the French Government
would withdraw theauxiiiary troops as soon
as circumstances would allow it, and the best
guarantee the French Government could have
that the Federal Government would not i'm
pede the consolidation of the new order of
things in Mexico would be the recognition by
J the latter Of the Emperor Macmillan.