New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-11
is no doubt that we have caught one tho principal
OUR FOREIGN POLICY

looking toward the removal OF tne Eronen troops iV
Mexico were issued on the 18th October 1865 in con-
sequence Of suggestion voluntarily made by our
Minister, Mr.. Bigelow. that the United States
would recegnizo the Empire Of Macmillan,
which was even then in lettering condition, 30 soon
as the French had departed Mr.. Bigeow afirms
that the suggestion was made upon his own
esponsibility-although how he could vepturo
suggestion of such profound momont without Mr.
Stewards approval 9is inexplcable He insisted that
their departure must preoodo recognition In re-
ferring TO his proposition in etor to a. Drouyn DO
Lhuys. Feb. Z. 1866. Mr.. Bigelow said:
"Iasked whether in your Excellency's opinion, MAY
imian would be able to sustain himself without the
aid of France if his authority were recognised by the
United States That inquiry led TO aconyersation IN
which had occasion at least twice TO state 10 your
Exoellcnoy that our recognition of any Government
in Mexico, so long as it was sustained By foreign
arms was impossiblc that tho logic OF the SITUATION
required the independence of Mexico TO be estaD-
lished by the withdrawal of all foreign soldiers be-
fore our Government could formally recognize a Gov
eminent accused OF owing ITS eXlstohce 10 tner
presence"
This proposition was made in the face Of tho reSolu
ton Of the Senate recognizing te Republic of Mexico
of the unanimous resolution of the House of Repre-
scnatves repudiating Macmillan, and Of the almost
The President most properly dsapprOyed of MIR.
BigclOws tender Of recognition, but France was in
formed that she might rely upon our friendship and
neutrality, aud on the 9TH of April, 1866 NJ Drouyn
dc Lhuys, referring TO Mr.. Stewards pledge of non
Intervention after tho departure Of tho French troops
advises the Marquis de Montholop that the Emperor
had decided that the troops should eyacuate Mexico
in three attachments. the first being intended to 60
in November, 1866, the second in March. 1867, and
the third in November Of the same year.
The Emperor was perfectly frank not to say blunt
in advising Mr.. Bgelow OF the motives of his dec-
sion and the freedom which he proposed to exercise
On the 4th Of June, Mr. Bigelow thus recite5 his
conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs;
'Hs said that the Imperial Government proclaimed
its intention 10 retire from Mexico because suited
its convenience and interest TO retire. and for other
reason. II means 10 Withdraw lis army within
the time prescribed and it does not intend to take one
or two hundred in tho first detachment and one or two
hundred in thesccond leaving tho greater body OF
them to tie last though it had no. deemed Il neces-
sary 10 spccy with mnuteness details Of This kind
which depend upon hygenic and climatic Influences,
of which II was the BEST the only, competent judge
The explicit declaration on the part of the Emperor
of his intention 10 use his discretion and his curt
intimstion to Mr.. Bigclow, with but small c1ccSs OF
diplomatic courtesy. that whatever no did in the mat
ter was for h own convenience and not to please the
United States left no for surprise at any change
he might find il advisable to make in his arrange
ments Accordingly, Mr.. Bigclow writes to Mr. Sew
ard Nov 8, 1866 that the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
bad informed him that the Emperor thought any re-
duction Of the French force in Mexico might be peril
GUS 10 those who remained behind. and hO therefore
proposed instead Of bringing bis army home By delach
ments extending to November 1867, 10 bring thcm all
home together in the Spring Of 1861.
This change which on tho face Of it, wasa breach
Of faith on the part Of tho Emperor was deemed 70 DO
justified as is now alleged by acts on tho pa oil THIS
Government bctraying its purpose Of active nteryen-
ton. At any rate the now policy was affirmed
10 be necessary on military grounds The
expedition had proved an utter failure. The Mexi-
cans without even our moral aid had rendered tho
Empire an mpossibility. All that remained for Ma
poleon was to save what was left Of his army and tho
collapse Of the Empire made 1t essential that they
should 60 together
The State Department. however thought other
wise and with that extraordinary facility for saying
and doing the wrong thing at the wrong time which
Mr. Seward so constantly exhibits it resolved to offer
parting insult 10 tho Emperor, to which, engaged as
he was in his Industrial Exposition he might possibly
submit and which, if lie declined to accept it, might
afford, perhaps, an apology for foreign quarrel.
Accordingly. Mr. Seward replies by tho Cable on
the 23d Of November that the Empcror's modification
Of the previous arrangement so as to leave the whole
French army In Mexico for the present. instead OF
Withdrawing one detachment in November current ss
promised, is now found in every way inconvenient
and exceptionable. We cannot acquiesce, &C." And
the reasons given why We cannot acquesce are that
we have sent Mr.. Campbell and Gen. sherman to
confer with President Juares on subjects which are
deeply interesting to the United States, and of vital
Importance to Mexico The dispatch does not add, as
might have boon expected, that we had also employed
Gen. Sheridan to intervene in the domestic affairs OF
Mexico by arresting 0rtegs, tho rival claimant Of
Juarez to the Presidency on the pretensc that 10 was
violating our neutrality laws.
To this dispatch, when read to him, the Emperor
listened in silence, and Tuesday came the reply By
the Gable that "France has not changed her resolu-
ton." And this according TO the organ Of the State
Department is perfectly satisfactory" that that
journal hastens TO call upon The TRIBUNE and other
papers 10 do justice to the foremost Of American
diplomatists and statesmen"
To do justice to Mr.. Stewards diplomacy since the
commencement Of the Rebellion, when hc began
his role by assuring Europe that had power to
coercs insurectionary members Of State-that Sav-
cry had nothing to do with the Rebellion, and would
continue just the same whether the revolution should
succeed or fsil-woud be all irksome task. Some day
NO may possibly attempt it. In the mean time, let
us say that in view Of the matter expressed by
Mr. Seward, we are inclined under existing circum-
stances to concur. We quote from dispatch of the
10th December 1865. The extract is retrsnslstiOn