New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-13
The Diplomatic Correspondence on
the Recognition Of the
Empire.
Lettersfrom Seward, Bigelow, Drouyn
de Lhuys and Montholon.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Jan. IL, 1866

WASHINGTON Friday, Jan. - 1866.
Several days ago brief notice was tele'
graphed of the correspondence transmitted to the
House Of Representatives in reply to resolution re-
ouestinc information in regard to steps taken by the
so.callcd Emperor of Mexico or by any European
power to obtain from the United States recognition
of the socaled Empire OF Mexico and what action has
been taken in the premises by the Government oil the
United States.
The following letters which accompanied the Presl'
dents Message afford additional information upon tue
subject
NJ. Serard TO Mr.. Bigelor.
DEPARTMENT oE STATE, !
WAsHINGTov Nov. G, lebo
MY DEAR SIR will proceed TO discuss the sugeu,,
and leave Won 10 present the opinions OF the ieso
10 such extent and III such manner as your Wv" WV"
The President feels himself bound TO adhere TO the
opinion set forth in my dispatch No -! whicn nns, ~
we understand, been already read 10 NJ piou!n W.
Lhuys. y, orrov in
The presence and operations of French army ~ IN
Mexico and its maintenance Of an authority tne'
upon force and not the free VIII oi the Pop o
Mexico, is cause of serious concern 10 thc rned
Statts Nevertheless, the objection OF the Unteu
States is still broader and includes the authority se
which the French army Is thus MAINTAINING; Inn NJ
thor,v is In direct antagonism 10 the policy OF TINS
Government and the principles upon whlch IL ~
founded Every days experience OF lts operations oh
adds new confirmation oi the Justice o nc ,e"
which this Government expressed at the time the al
tenpt 10 institute that authority first became KNOWN.
The United States have hitherto prctced the utmost
frankness that subject They siil regard the onoi
10 establish permanently foreign and Imperial 10Y
erpment in Mexico as disall0wahle and impracticaoe
for these They could not now egrec 10 com
promise the position they have heretofore ASSUMED
They are pre- pared to recognize or 10 pledge the
selves hereafter TO recognize political institutions
In Mexico which are in opposition &c the Eepuohcah
Government with which we have so long and so cOh'
stnntly maintained relations OF amity and friendship
need hardly repeat my past assurances OF our SIN
cere desire preserve our Inherited relations OF rehu
ship with France. This desire greatly increases onI
regret that no communications, formal or lnioIina
which have been reoey ed from the Government OF that
country seem TO Justify IN expecting that France
key soon 10 be ready 70 as far as may depend
upon her. the Of her deep concern Tor the harmony
| OF the two nations. m
The suggestion which you make OF willingness on
part Of France toeopose revision OF the commercial
relations between Tie two countries Is not regarded
having er-anated from the Government: oI the Empire
However that may be- II is hardly necessary TO say ina
we should not be dwelling earnestly upon TINS branct
Of political relations IL II had not been our conviction
that these relations at the present moment supersed'
those O. commerce in the consideration Of tho American
people. Believe me 10 be. always faithfully yours
WILLIAM II. sRwARD
To JOIN BIGTLow esq. etc.
| Wr. BigeIolr 10 M Ssrard.- Extract
! LEGATION or IHE uSIrD STATS.
| PAEIs November 80. ied5.
| Sin: Upon reflection | concluded that i should %
likely To leave correct impressions ana, perhaps
! exclude some erroneous from the mind oi Mon
sieur Drouyn dc Lhuys by reading your dispatch No
800 him than by leaving him. alter our interview oi
Thursday week, TO imagine its contents accofdinei.
called upon HIS Excelency on Tuesday last ana ate
dspOsng Of some other matters OF less import 'nc'
told him frankly that wished 10 read 10 HIN Tue dis
patch 10 the contents OF which had referred al GU
last interview 10 prevent hls suppOlng 1t coniaine'
anything which had thought proper. or had been IN
structed to conceal from him.
when had finished he thanked me for reading the dis
patch though he felt obliged 10 say that be derived
neither pleasure satisfaction from Us contents.
l. l am, Sir your obedient servant
joins BIGELow.
.Mr. .Scuard 10 Mr.. BigoioT.
| DEPARTMENT or STATE,
WILMINGTON, Dec. 10. ls6J. !
! SIR; Your dispatch Of Nov. ~ No. .Oo. duly re
cened and ~ has bcen submitted TO the i'rcsiden'.
Yonr proceeding in reading my dispatch. NO. 80. to
NJ Drown de Lhuys Is approved The general tenor o
The remarks made by yO the Minister of Foreign AZ
fairs on thai occasion Is likewise approved. IL Is not th,
Executive Department Of this Government alone whiel
ted and concerned In tie question whether The
present condition Of affairs shall be continued in Iexco
The interest Is national one and IN e'ery event th'
Congress which is now IN session IL authorized by th'
Constitution and is entitled 10 direct By law the actor
OF the United States In regard TO that important sub
ject. 1t has been the Presidents purpose that France
should be respectfully informed upon two points
namely:
Firet: That the United States earnestly desire tc
continue and cultivate sincere friendship with France
SsooHd; That this policy would be brought into i'm
mucnt jeopardy unless France could deem conssto
with her interests and honor TO desist from the prose
cuton Of armed intervention IN Mexico TO overthrow
the domestic Republican Government existing there
and 10 establish upon it, ruins the foreign monarchy
which has been attempted TO be nauguraed in the cap
ital of that country.
In answer TO an exposition of our views which a'
thus made, the suggestion was offered TO you by VI
Drown de Lhuys that the Goyernm ent Of the Unite,
States might favor the express desire Of the Emperor
withdraw from Mexico, by giving him some formal as
surance that in the event 0i his Withdrawal tins Gov
ernInent would recognize the Institution OF MaximiIaI
/ in Mexico de tdctO political power. Ii was m,
desire in framing the dispatch No. 800 TO express. II
benaf of the United States decision that the rccOg
milton which the Emperor had thus suggested. cannot
be- made and 10 assign by way Of explanation. The
grounds upon which that decision Us based. / have
carefully considered the arguments against that de
cision which presented 10 you by N. Drouyn d,
huys in the interview referred TO- and do not lind II
them any sufficient reasons for modifying the yiews
which the United States Lave expressed. IL remains
now only to make known 10 NJ. Drouyn de Lhuys ny
profound regret that he has thought II his duty TO leave
the subject Ia bis conl crsation with yOn In condition
that does not authorize an expectation on our part that
satisfactory adjustment of the case can be effected on
any basis that thus far has been discovered am sir
your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD
| JONI BIGELOw esq. sc.
| TIe Marquis De Montholon 10 Mr.. Setcard
| lTransafionl
WASHINGTON, Nov. 90, 1863
| Ny DEAR SIR Conforming to tue desire you cx.
pressed to me send you herewith copy and iransla.
ton of NJ. DTouyn de Lhuyss Dispatch the contents Of
which have had the honor To read TO YOU With the
highest regard l remain my dear Sir. respectfully
yours. MONfHoLoN.
Hon. W. II. SEWARD Sec ofSiate. &C.
Monaeur Dyouyn de hugs 10 the Marquis de
.Nonth0ion.-t tConfdcntial).
lTranslAtion.J
MIMsIRE DEs AFrAIEEs ETRAyGEREs
PARIS, October ~. ls6j. (
| MONSIEUR liz MARQUIS have taken several occa-
sions since two months advise YOU Of the dispositions
of the Imperial Government concerning the duration
the occupation OF Mexico by the French troops told
you In my dispatch Of August Il, that called with
sincere wishes for the day when the last French
soldier should leave the country and that he Cabinet
ehi to IN