The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-05-13
w.bS-s<wr .a-sspe,ser III.

l. AHBiograpuy General james Wat
son Webb, by IT, "A .Psrmelec.n which has
just met our eye, repeats psrdati,n the CIR.
cumstantial rration, in the New York
Tn,esuf April 10, 1860, of General Webb's
personal dealings withrI Napoleon H.,
whereby the latter was induced 10 promise
an early withdrawal, OF hrs troops from
! Me1iee IL this country would forbear to
menace him, and thus render difficult
such withdrawal. The narrative gravely
impeached the honor and magnanimity oi
Governor Seward. whom il accused Of
sending to the French government a bull
lying dispatch regarding the French
armed occupation Of Mexico, when he al
! ready knew thxt this occupation was about
TO cease by arrangement; thus creating .
false impression that Napoleon had re-
coiled before the eagle-scrcsm of Gov. Sew
ards dispatch. s4
In copying from the Times this remark
able revelation. we questioned its acctra.
cy; but rs Gov. Seward has mover allud-
ed 10 il, and 1t Is now reiterated. evidently
on Gen. Webbs authority, We are forced
to conclude that it was substantially true.
We copy from this biography the follow.
ing letter from Napoleon III. 10 Gen.
Webb which seems an interesting h not
important contribution to tho history Of
our time: ,....................... j. ..
o., [TrsasIation j l.. .- .....f
PAats, March -. 1863.
My DEAR GENEsAL; I received your
letter of March 9, and the interesting note |
enclosed therein, which, after perusal, ii
burned ip,mediately,s according 81 your |
wishes, and wisheyi psSRHajiRQNiRK tbs ssah; .shs
Of are very important and very delicate;
still, will answer them in all frrnkness.
You are greatly mistaken If you believe
that any motive Of ambition or cupidity
has led me into Mexico.
Engaged in this enterprise by Spain,
and led by the doings Of Juarcz. I reluc-
,antly sent. first, 1000 men, afterwards,
the national honor being compromised.
my troops were increased to 5000; finally,
the repulse at Puebla having engaged our
military honor, l sent over 80, 900 men.
II ia, therefore much against my inclina-
ton that am compelled to wage war Mt
such a distan ce from France; and 1t is in
no way for the purpose Of taking pos-
session of the mines of the Sonora that
my soldiers are fighting. Bat now that
tho French flag is in Mexico, It is difficult
tor me to foretell what may happen; at
all events, my intention Is to withdraw ~
soon as honor and the interests now en-
gagged allow me. II would be wrong in the
United States, therefore, TO make my be-
ing there subject Of dispute; for mem
ace would then change oil my plans, which
are now disinterested. As regards the war
which desolates your country, / profound
ly regret for do not see how and when it
will end, and ii is not tho interest of
France that the United States should be
weakened by a struggle with
out any good results possible.
In country as sensible as America, it is
not by arms that domestic quarrels should
be settled, but by votes, meetings and as
semblies. In Europe, too. we have many
causes of Disturbance many grave qucs-
tions 20 solve. For this purpose, France
needs the alliance of England; hence my
efforts have always been directed toward
maintaining tho ties of good understand
ing, often in spite Of the il-will of the
English government.
l bavo now sincerely explained my po-
sition to you; and in that way, you see,
rcciprocate tho perfcci frsnkness of Your
communication. Be always persuaded,
my dear General, of my interest in your
Country, as we'll rs my friendship and tho
high esteem which profess for your
character. With these sentiments, re.
main, yours very affectionately,
! i }lf..I .l.3tl &. NAPOLEON.
100. 80. ...... ...