Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-12-11
The United States, France, and Mexico
---Pnbli0 Documents.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The correspond |
ence of the Secretary of State with Minister
BigloW on the subject of Mexican affairs shosss
his anxiety for the French to evacnate Ia
country. according TO the EmperoEs pro-
gramme.
Mr- Seward, IN giving instructions to Min
lister Campbell, Oct 20, mentions some spri,i-
icipIes which may be safely laid down IN regard
to this policy which the Government of the
United States expects him to pursue. His
combinations must be made TO 'President
Juarez. and no event must he officially re,
eognize Prince Macmillan or any one else
without first having reported TO the State De-
partment and received instructions from the
President of the United States he must alb.
stain from Obstrncting or embarrassing the
departure of the French. What the Govern
ment OF the United States desire in regard to
the future of Mexico IS not conquest OF ags
grandizement Of itself by purchases of land
or domain; but, on the other hand, they de-
sire to SEQ the people of Mexico relieved from
foreign military intervention, to the end that
they may resume the conduct of their own af-
fairs under the existing republican govern
ment, or such other form of government as.
being left In the enjoyment OF perfect liberty.
they shall incline to adopt, in the exercise 0f
theiriown free viii, by their own act, an &
without dictation from any foreign countrv<~r
and of.eourse without dietation nom the
ted States
He must enter into mo-
French COMMANDERS
with any other party
dency TO eopnters
ton Of Juarez,
public.
thai the pre-
may desire
or even Sol
part 70 favor
a country SO
bined with
the re-estabi
on principles
domestic systeI
BILE, moreovef
made of the lafiu
ted States without IN efIus valid llt iI
rlsdictiou of Mexico, or violating the laws 81
neutrality, which would be useful in forward,
ing the restoration of law, order, and n rcpub-
lican government in that country Campbell
is instructed to refer any important PROPOSE
lions on the subject of organization and res,
toration of the republican government i1f
Mexico as may arise to the State Department
for the information OF the President. The
United States General possesses already dis
cretionary authority rs to the location of the
Mexico. The President desired Gen Grant
to accompany Minister Campbell Us an advi.
ser, but being unable to go Lieut-Gen. Sher-
man was designated. The cable dispatch
from Seward to Bigelow, dated Nov. Esd, ap-
pears in the correspondence, IN which MIR.
Seward instructs him to say TO the French
Government that ours is surprised aud affect
ed with deep concern by the announcement
now made for the first time that the promised
recall of one detachment of French troops
from Mexico in November current had been
postponed by the Emperor. In full reliance
upon at least literal performance Of the
EmperOr's existing agreement, We have taken
measures while facilitating the anticipated
French evacuation, TO cooperate with the re-
publican government of Mexico for promo.
ting the pacifcatiOn Of that country, aud for
the early and complete restoration of proper
constitutional authority.
As part of these measures Mr.. Campbell
our Minister, attended by Lieutenant Gem
eral Sherman, has been sent to Mexico IN or
der to confer with President j uarez nu sub.
jects which are deeply interesting TO The Uni-
ted States aud of vital importance tn Mexico.
You will therefore state TO the Emperor's
Government the President sincerely hopes
and expects that the evacuation of Mexico
will be carried into effect with such conformi-
ty to the existing agreement as the inoppOr-
tune complication which calls for this dis
patch will allow. 8Ir. Campbell will he adj
vised of that complication, instructions
will be issued to the United States military
forces of observation to await, in every case,
special Instructions from the President This
will be done with confident expectation that
the telegraph or mail may bring us a satisiac-
tory solution from the Emperor in reply to
this note You will assure the French Cow
eminent that the United States, while they
seek relief for Mexico, desire nothing more
earnestly than to preserve peace and friend 4
ship with France nor does the President al >
low himself to doubt that what has been De-
termined in France, most inauSpiciousIy, as
we think, has been decided upon inadvertent-
ly without full reflection upon the embsrrass-
ment it must produce here, and without any
design to retain The French expeditionoay.
forces in Mexico beyond the full period -
eighteen months ordinarily stipulated
complete evacuation.
How They Regard it.