Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-08
THE UNITED STATES. FRANCE AND MEX
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Inc ulplomatic correspondence Just pub
lished is Interesting at this time as sho wing
the true state Of our relations with Napoleon
in reference to the Mexican question. The
Secretary Of State, in his letter to Mr. Camp-
bell, our Minister to the Republic of Mexico.
dated Oct Goth, says:
lyon are aware that a friendly and explicit
arrangement exists between this Government
and the Emperor OF France, to the effect that
he will withdraw his expeditionary military
forces from Mexico in three parts-the first of
which shall leave MfxicoIn November pext
the second in March next and the tn ird in No,
sember, 1867, and that upon the evacuation
being thus completed the French Government
Will immediately come upon the ground of
non Intervention in regard to Mexico, which
lie held by the United States. Doubts ha We been
entertained and expressed in some quarters
upon the question whether the French Gov
erDment VIII faithfully execute this agree
ment. No such doubts have been entertained
by the President, who has had repeated and
even recent assurances that the complete eyac
uation of Mexico by the French will be con
snmmafed at the periods mentioned, or earlier
II compatible with climatical. military, and
other conditions. There are grounds for sun.
posing that two incidental questions have
already engaged the attention of the
French Government-namely first. whether il
should not advise the departure of the Prince
Macmillan for Austria to be made before the
withdrawal OF the French expedition: second.
whether 1t would not be consistent with the
climatical. military, and other conditions
dictionary force at once, instead of retiring IL in
three separate installments, and at oiffarent
periods No formal communication, however
upon this subject has been made by the Enpe,
TOR Napoleon to the Government OF ,he United
states. When the subject has been in cdeutaIIv
mentioned this Department, by direction Of
the President has replied that the United
States await the execution OF he agreement for
the evacuation by the Government, of France
al least according to its letter, while they would
be grained II that agreement could be executed
with greater promptness and dispatch than are
stipulated. Under these circumstances tine
President expects that within the next month
(November) portion at least of the French
expeditonary force will retire from Mexico
and be thinks 1t not improbable that the whole
eXpedifioDary force may be Withdrawn at
or about the same time. Such an event can
not fail 10 produce a crisis Of great political
interest In the Republic of Mexico II is i'm.
portant that you should be either within the
territories of that Republic or in some place
near at hand, so as TO assume the exercise Of
your functions as Minister Plenipoten tiary OF
the United States 10 the Republic OF Mexico
Inc following further Instructions are laid
down for the guidance Of Mr.. Campbell
1.-The first OF these is that, a representative
OF the United States, you are accredited 10 the
Republican Government OF Mexico, OF which
Dir. JuareZ is President. Your commupica.
lions as such representative will be made 10
him, wheresoever he may be, and In no event
viii you officially recognize the Prince Maxi
milan, who claims 10 be Emperor, or any
ofher person, chief, OF combination as exer-
cising the executive authority i'm Mexico with
out having first reported TO this Department
and received instructions from the President
OF the United States. Secondly, assuming thai
the French military and naval commanders
snail be engaged in good faith in executing
uaion OF Mexico, the spirit OF the engagement
on our Fart in relation TO that event VIII for
bid the United States and their representative
from oostrucung or embarrassing the depar-
tnre OF the French. Thirdly. what the Gov
eminent Of the United States desire in regard
TO the future of Mexico is not the conquest or
ment of the United States by purchase OF land
or dominion: but, on tn. other hand. they de-
sire 10 see the people of Mexico relieved from
an foreign military intervention, to the end
that they may resume the conduct Of their own
affairs under the existing republican govern
ment, or such other form Of government as
being left in the enjoyment Of perfect liberty,
they shall determine 10 adopt in the exercise Of
thelr own free will, by their own act without
dlctatlon from any foreign country, and, of
course, without dictatisn from the United
principles, that you will enter into no stipula-
ton with the French commanders, or with the
Prince Macmillan, or with any other party,
which shall have tendency to counterfeit or
oppose the administration OF President Juarez,
or TO hinder or delay the restoration of the
authority OF the republic. On the other hand,
IL may possibly happen that the President of
the Republic of Mexico may desire the good
omces Of the United States, or even some ef-
fecuve proceedings on our part, TO favor and
advance the pacifcation of a country so long
distracted by foreign combined with civil war
and thus gain time for the re- establishment of
national authority upon principles consistent
with republican and domestic system Of gov
ernment- 1t is possible, moreover, thar some
disposition might be made of the land and ma
val forces Of the United States witnou, inter.
fering within the Jurisdiction Of Mexico, or
violating the laws of neutrality, which would
be useful in favoring the restoration of law,
order, and republican government in that
country. You are authorized to confer up On
this subject with the Republican Government
OF Mexico and Its agents, and also 10 con fer in.
formally, If you find it necessary, with any
other parties or agents, should such an excep.
tienal conference become absolutely necessary
but not otherwise"