The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-23
VOL. 29---NO. 143.
9irIlmond 1ispatth.
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY %, 1866
France and the United States.


The hope expressed by the Emperor Of the
French in his address to the Corps Le0ssIafg,
that the announcement of his intention to
withdraw the French troops from Mexico
would pacify the public mind in America, does
not seem to have been entirely realized. Mr..
BraELow's dispatch enclosing the Emperor's
speech has been replied to by MIR. SEWARD, and
when that reply is published we shall be able
to discover whether the Government OF the
United States shares the dissatisfaction mani
tested by portion of the press. The Washing
ton correspondent of the New York Herald
asserts that Mr.. SEwARD's reply, which has
been printed, and was to be forwarded oy the
steamer of the 22d, is devoted to review ana
commentary upon the Imperial address, ana
scores with especial severity the assertion OF
the Emperor that this Government had been
invited to ioin France in her Mexican interven-
tion before the introduction Of French FORCES
into the army of MAxIaILIAN. The reInint-
SCIENCES of the Premier relative TO the part
which France has taken in Mexican affairs are
said by the Herald correspondent to be so very
caustic that they cannot fail to suggest to
NAPOLEON the idea that we do not receive the
Imperial excuses for that sinister move with
any degree of equanimity. 1t is little sim
gular that the New York Times, which, from
its semi official relations to the Department of
State, might be expected to have better in
formation of Mr.. SEwARp's foreign correspond
ence. publishes no intelligence from Washing
ton referring to the subject.
Whatever opinion may be formed of the
credibility of the Herald's statement, the
announcement by the Emperor of his inten-
St,o oh, yvh no
step can be taken without injury TO the inte-
rests of France cannot be relied upon rs indi-
eating any immediate action. 1t is perhaps
not forgotten by the American Secretary that
there occurred in the Emperor's speech year
ago this paragraph: "Thus all our expedi-
" tions are drawing to an end. Our troops
" have evacuated China; the army Of
" Merico already returns to France II that
was the fact then, it may be so now. Ii the
French troops We're leaving Mexico n year ago,
they are long time in leaving, and may be
leaving, for aught weknow, year hence Per
haps Mr.. SEWARD is of the opinion that they
would better not stand upon the order of their
going, but go at once.
1t is also worthy Of note that the diplomatic
dispatches of DRoUN DE LHUYs, received from
Europe since the speech of the French Empe-
ror though written before that speech, help
in some measure to interpret the speech, and
throw light upon certain obscure features OF
It, The most important of these dispatches is
that of January 0, two weeks prior to the
delivery of the Emperor's address. In this
document there is labored defence of the
policy France has pursued towards Mexico
during the last four years. 1t assumes that
France has only carried out the rights of war;
and that the Government of MACMILLAN in
Mexico was based upon the national will, and
with the assent of the Mexican people
There is no need of comment upon such an
audacious statement. The public is more inter
ested in that portion of the dispatch which
throws light on the present purposes and
future action of the French Government.
Whilst the Imperial announcement of the
evacuation of Mexico is foreshadowed in the
dispatch, it also states that cit depends
greatly upon the Federal Government to
facilitate" the evacuation, and subsequently
"We return, after that period, latter the
eYacuation,l to the principle Of non-inter-
vention, and from the moment ace dcceptH as or
rule of conduct, 0ur interest and honor require US
to demand its eg,,al application Jy all. Relying
upon the equitable spirit of the Washington
Cabinet, we expect from 1T the assurance that
the American people Will conform 10 the
law they invoke by maintaining strict neu-
trality with regard to Mexico. When you
shall have informed me OF the resolution OF
the American Government in this matter,
shall be in position to acquaint you with the
result of our negotiation with the Emperor
Macmillan for the return of our troops"
This can only mean that the Emperor, before
his troops from Mexico, desires
our Government to agree not to interfere
ha yictn nf a (ynyprnDnpnt
point which was not touched
upon by the Emperor in his address; perhaps
from motives of policy; perhaps because he
had come to the conclusion not to make recog-
milton the condition precedent to evacuation.
The address of the French Senate, n sketch
of which appeared in our yesterdays issue, in
reply to the Emperor's speech, is confrmatory
of the Interpretation given to that document
by the previous dispatches DRouN DE LHuYs.
Whilst manifesting satisfaction that the mis-
sion of the French troops TO Mexico ap-
proaches completion, it reiterates the expecta-
tion of neutrality expressed in the French
Minister'S dispatch of the 9th January, and
tells us that France is accustomed 10 move
only at her own time" with other grandilo-
quent phrases, which, in America, would be
called Buncombe, Notwithstanding the gene
raj tenor of the foreign news does not war
rant the sangune expectations of an early
evacuation of Mexico, which We're founded
upon the Emperors speech, we have no
apprehensions that the Mexican question will
lead TO a collision between France and the
United States. The interests of both in the
preservation of peace are too great to be sacri-
feed for any interest that either has in Mex
ico and the conduct of affairs on both sides is
in the hands of statesmen of great calmness,
sagacty, and experience.
The Plaint of a Freedman.
The following unvarnished story was