Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-06-23

| Mexico. He incloses an official despatch on that
subject. dated June 6. from Mr.. BgelOW, Minis
| ter to France to Secretary Seward
Minister Bigelow states that he had an interview
with the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the
course of which that official took occasion to state
4 that the Imperial Government had proclaimed its
Intention to retire from Mexico because it suited its
interests and convenience to do and for no other
reason. When, therefore. that Government had an
nouneed formally only to the United States but
70 al the world, that the French troops would be
.at wiaah9raWn from Mexico he thought it should be
The Government madcits declaration in good faith
ana meant to keep it. 1t meant to Withdraw its
troops IN the time prescrbed-not to take one or two
hundred in the first detachment one or two hundred
more IN the second detachment, leaving the great
@ houy u mem % tho last; This statement his Excel
iency Desired Minister Bigeow to repeat to the Uni
| ted States Government
TheTeupon, Minister Bigelow inquired whether His
EXceliency had ever received through any Official
channel, any intimation that tho United States Gov
ernment imputed TO the Emperor of the French such
an intention to act with bad faith, as that involved in
the withdrawal of the French troops in UNEQUAL m
Staments to which His Excellency had referred His
Exceiency replied by admitting that this imputation
had been conveyed only through the American news
papers and not through any official or authorized
In response to Minister Bigelows request for an
explanation of the shipment by France of large
BODIES OF troops to Mexico. after the purpose TO with
his Exceliency replied that troops belonging to
the corps eIpeditionnaire had been sent to Mexico
dierS missing; but at any rate without augmentation
Of the number of standing troops; that the troops
whose tr2psportation to Mexico had occasoned this
inquiry did not exceed 900 in number, and consisted
Of men who had for long time been waiting, in
france and Algeria, to rejoin their regiments and
that no more troops had been or would be enrolled
for the foreign legion, since the Emperor has pro-
claimed his purPoset to Withdraw his flag from Mexico
In regard to the shipment Of troops from Austria,
he said that was aair entirely between that Gov
erpme0t and the Mexican with which France bad
nothing 10 do put since the subject had been brought
up, he had made inquiries of the ministers of war
and of the marine, and had ascerained that no en-
gaGement whatever had been entered into by either
Tor the enrolment or transportation of troops from
Austria for Mexico. lie further went on to say that
itWaS the Intention of the French Government to
withdraw its army entirely from Mexico within the
time specified; and sooner, il climatic and other con-
sderatious permitted; aud further that it was not
It's intention 10 replace these with other troops from
Minister Bgelow, in reply, expressed his satisfac-
ton Ill beng able to communicate to this Govern
ment these expressions of NJ Drouyn de PHuys.
lie concludes his despatch to Secretary Seward by
herein given, bad been submitted to and approved
by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Ordered
| fairs.
The Speaker also laid before the House the follow
| referred to the Committee Reconstruction:
| To the Senate and House Of ReprdyentatiUes:
| submit to Congress report Of the Secretary Of
State to whom was referred tho concurrent resou
ton OF the 18th instant, respecting submission to
the Legislatures Of the States of additional art
| Gle to the Constitution of the United States.
1t will be seen from this report that the Secretary
of State had the 10Th instant, transmitted to the
Governors of the several States certified copies of
the joint resolution passed the 18th instant pro-
| posing an amendment to the Constitution.
Even in ordinary times, any question of amending
the Constitution must be just regarded as of para
mount Importance This importance is at the pres
ent time, enhanced by the fact that the joint resou-
| ton not submitted by the two Houses for the
approval of the President and that of the thiry-six
States, which constitute tho Union, eleven are ex-
ctuded from representation in either House Of Con-
grcSs, although, with the single exception of Texas
they have been entirely restored to ali their fame
tons aS States IN conformity with the organic law
Of the land and have appeared at the national cap
tai, by Senators and Representatives, who have ap
Piled for, and have been refused admission to the
vacant seats
| Nor have the sovereign people of the nation been
| afforded an opportunity of expressing their views
involves. Grave doubts therefore may naturally and
Justly arise to whether the action of Congress is
IN harmony with the sentiments of the people, and
whether State legislatures elected without reference
to such an issue, should be called upon by Congress
to decide respecting the ratification of the proposed
Waving the question as to tho constitutional va
lidity Of the proceedings of Congress upon the Joint
merits of the article which it submits through the
| Executive Department to the Legislatures of the
states, deem 1t proper to observe that the steps
taken by the Secretary of State, as detailed in the
accompanying report, are to be considered purely
ministerial. and in no sense whatever, committing
| the Executive to an approval or recommendation
OF the amendment to the State Legislatures, to
| the people.
On the contrary. proper appreciation of the letter
and spirit OF the Constltu lion, well of the in
terests OF national order, harmony and union, and
due Difference for enlightened public Judgment
may at this time well suggest doubt whether any
amendment to the Constitution ought to be proposed
by Congress and pressed upon the legislatures of the
several States for final decision until after the admis
sion OF such loyal Senators and Representatives of
hereafter be chosen. i conformity with the Constitu
| tion and laws Of the United States.
Washington D. c.. June 22 1866.
To the President:-The Secretary Of State. to whom
/ oc 4tp,
Houses of Congress of the 18th Instant in the follow
ing words:-That the President of the United States
be requested to transmit forthwith to the Executives
of the several States of the United States copies of
| the article OF amendment proposed by Congress to
the United States, passed July I3, 1866 respecting
citizcnship the basis of representation, disqualified
ton for Office, and validity of the public debt of the
United States, etc. to the end that the said States
may proceed to act upon the said article of amend
State that may ratfy said amendment to transmit to
the Secretary of State certified copy Of such ratif
cation"-has the honor to submit the following re-
| port, namely;
That on the 10th instant the Hon. Amasa Cobb, of
| the Committee of the House of Representatives
| Enrolled Bills, brought to this Department aud de-
| posted therein enrolled resolution of the two
| Houses OF Congress, which was thereupon received
| rolls of The Department copy of which is hereunto
| annexed: Thereupon the Secretary of State, upon
the 18th instant, in conformity with the proceeding
then proposed and atterRaTds adopted Congressional
amendment of the Constitution Of the United States
| certified copies of the annexed resolution to the
Governors Of the several States, together with GER
ticate and circular letter. copy of both of these
| communications Is hereunto annexed.
| Respectfully submitted. WM. II. SEWARD.
DEPT OF STATE, June 20, 1866
| lCIRCULAR.
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE, June l6 1866.
| To His Ercel l!ency, Goueraor Of the State Of.
| Sir | have the honor to transmit an attested copy
of resolution of Congress- proposing to the Legla-
lures of the several States fourteenth article to the
Constitution Of the United States. The decisions OF
the several Legislatures upon the subject required
| by law to be communicated to this Department. An
| acknowledgment of the receipt of this communca-
| tion is requested by
| Your Excellency's most obedjept servant,
| WM. Ii. SEWARD.
The accompanying paper is the certificate of true
copy of the concurrent resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution.
| At P, NJ. the House adjourned.