New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-08
MEXICO, FRANCE AND THE UNITED
GTdTES

BDBIObS06 INC vi DOM
and the diplomatic correspondence published in our
issue Of yesterday which furnishes the official history
of the questions from May 10 November Of the present
year. is therefore, sure to be read with universal aud
profound interest. portion of it, and that the
most important portion received so late that
it did not appear in the whole Of yesterdays morning
edition; therefore reprint it. The correspondence
treats of our relations TO Mexico in their two entirely
distinct espeOts-6rSt our relations to the French
invasion. and, second, attitude toward the Gov
ernment Of tho Mexican Republic.
With regard TO our relations to France, it will be
remembered that according to the arrangement con-
cuded between our Government and that Of France,
the first detachment of the French force was TO be
withdrawn in November. 1866 and the third and last
in November. 1867. and that no additional troops
were to be dispatched Some French troops having
nevertheless arrived in Mexico afor the conclusion
Of this arrangement, nj. Drouyn do Lhuys, in
May. 1866 assured Mr.. Bigelow that
these troops were to replace others
whose torn OF service had expired, and in
numbers less rather than moro than were there be-
fore" Mr.. Hay Charge d'Afaires ad interim, writes
to Mr.. Seward. Aug II. that he called the French
Minister Of Foreign Affairs tonquire about rumorcd
modification of tho French policy, and that he Us
sued that tho plan determined upon would be exc
cuted Rumors, nevertheless, maintained themselves
in France a. we'll as in Mexico that the French Gov
ernmcnt contemplated the withdrawal Of the whole
French army in tho year 1867, instead Of its being
withdrawn in three semannual detachments
beginning November, 1856. These rumors,
Mr. Seward writes. 0ot 8. to Mr.. Bigolow,
unsvOdaby produced "awi1e popular distrust
Of even the Empcrors sincerity in making the engage
ment and of his good faith in fulfilling it," In Wash
ngton they were. Of course, waiting for the begin
ming Of the evacuation" but continued, so Mr..
Seward assures u.s. ito rely with implicit confidence
upon the fulillment Of tho Empcror'5 engagement"
Oct 12, Mr.. Bigelow gives an account Of his first
interview with the Marquis de MouslieF the
Of Drouyn de Lhuys. Tho Emperor, he was assured.
was still DESTROYS 10 retire from Mexico even with
out reference TO tho convention with Maximian if
shorter time would suffice; but the assurance was
modified by the reserve that the evacuation
would take place az soon as possible"
aud "as sOon a. the Emperor could do II
with honor and dignity" On repairing TO
Biauiz, Mr. Bigolow was informed By Mr. Pereire,
the owner Of tho Franco Mexican line OF steamships,
that the contract had been finally signed by his agent
at the Ministry Of War for the repatriation Of all
the French army in Mexico in March ncrt aud that
som, Of the troops would be "repatriated this Fall.
Mr. Bigelow had reason 10 think that Mr. Pererc
T" instructed TO make this communication TO him.
Clear limitations, il will be seen were thus given Of
an intention of the French Government not TO abide
by the agreement, as far a. concerns the number Of
the first detachment to DO Withdrawn, the time
when it was 10 be withdrawn. The French
newspapers meanwhile continued 10 discuss this one
sided modification Of the contract Of which no notice
was given to either Mr.. Bgelow or Mr. Seward, and
which was not communicated TO the former until
Nov. /, when the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
plictly stated that 1t was the purpose Of the Emperor
to withdraw the troops from Mexico in the Spring,
but none before that time" The reasons for this
violation Of of explicit contract were the Minister
said, "of a purely military character" This as
surance was repeated to Mr.. Bigeow by the Emperor
himself who also stated that be charged Gen. Cas-
telneau with informing Macmillan that France could
not give him another man nor another dollar and
that he (NapOleon) counselod him to abdicate.
The Emperor barely admitted that it would have
been proper at least to notify the President of the
change Of the agreement, but suggested that might
have been neglected during the change in the Min.
istry of Foreign Afairs In his reply to this import
ant intelligence, Mr. Seward NOV. 23) charges Mr..
Bgelow with telling the French Minister that the Gov.
ernment at Washington is surprised and affected
with deep concern" at the postponement of the
evacuation having been determined upon with.
out conference with, even without notice TO the
United States" The latter "cannot acquiesce" list
Because the term "neIt Spring is too vague.
%. Because there is now no better
guarantee for the evacuation in the Spring than the
United States had before. Sd. Because measures had
already been taken 20 cooperate with the Republican
Government of Mexico for the pacifcation of that
country and il must insist on the execution of the
agreement
Gable dispatches dated yesterday state that the
large French feet was now ready to proceed to
Mexico.
The withdrawal Of the French troops, will, Of
course, put an immediate end to the Empire II was
therefore, deemed desirable in Washington that our
Minister to the Mexican Republic, Nh Campbell
should be either on Mexican territory as to il
as possible at the time when the great crisis would
occur. In dispatch to him, dated Oct. 90, Mr.
Seward lays down the main point, of the policy which
the Government has concluded to pursue. First, Mr.
Campbell is accredited to President JuareI and is to
recognize in no event any other person OF combina
ton as exercising the Executive authority in Mexico
without having first reported to Washington
and received instructions from the President Of the
United States" Secondly, the United States and
their representatives will not obstuet the departure
Of the French troops Thirdly. the United States dis
oIa ;xta IN Mey;oo nart az
it, or to seek an aggandizement by the purchasing of
land or dominion, but they desire to see the people
Of Mexico live under the Government Of their own