Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. No. 448.] PARIS. April 7, 1864. SIR: Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys has informed me to-day that Arman had sold to Sweden those two iron-clad rams now being built by him at Bordeaux for the confederates. He assured Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys that the affair was completed. and offered to show him the contract which he then had in his hands. Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys says he did not examine the contract, but says he is satisfied that the sale has been made. I told him frankly I had little confidence in Arman's statements on this subject, and should immediately write to our minister at Sweden to make sure of the facts. I shall do so by this mail. Mr. Arman said likewise that he was seeking a neutral purchaser for those clipper ships, although, as he said, these were mere vessels of commerce. Two of them are advertised in the Bordeaux papers to sail in the China line-one called the Yeddo, on the 30th of this month; the other, called the Ozaca, on the 30th of next month. The Rappahannock, yet in the basin at Calais, he says, is a great trouble to him. He seems scarcely to know what ultimately to do with her. It seems he has a committee of jurisconsults connected with his department as advisers, and says he means to submit the facts to them. I have, of course, made him aware from the beginning that the treatment given to these insurgent vessels was looked upon by us as a violation of international law, and as involving a just ground of complaint by us against the Freuch government. I have told him, too, that our government held all restrictions imposed by port rules on our vessels-of-war. differing from those imposed by us upon their vessels, as illegal and unjust. That we claimed in their ports every courtesy that we extended to them in the ports of our own country. I do not think there can possibly be any misunderstanding as to our meaning on these questions. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. No. 524.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Your despatch of March 25, No. 440, has been received. You allude therein to a report that reaches us through English journals of effect that it is arranged that the projected imperial government in Mexico sha!! soon extend a recognition to the insurgents at Richmond. The contradiction of this report, on the authority of the Emperor of France, as you have communicated it to me, is gratifying, although no credit whatever has been given here to the statements referred to. On the contrary, it has not seemed probable that the Prince Maximilian could extend his guardianship to insurgents here while yet engaged in a struggle with the existing authorities of Mexico, unless indeed he was assured of support in that event by the government of France. Nor has it seemed probable, in view of previous explanations of M. Drouyn de l'Huys, that the Emperor of the French would be anxious to enlarge his responsibilities concerning American politics, at least before the Mexican problem should have definitely reached a solution. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Esq. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. No. 526.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 9, 1864. SIR: Mr. Geofroy, chargé d'affaires of the Emperor, has submitted for my perusal a despatch which, on the 21st of March last, was addressed to him by M. Drouyn de l'Huys, in which he renews a request that the French government may be allowed to send to this country some officers who shall have facilities for observing military arrangements and preparations on both sides of the civil war, with an exclusive view to their bearing on improvements in the art of war. M. Drouyn de l'Huys, in support of this request, reminds us that all governments which follow with most marked interest the progress of military art have, every time when war has broken out, obtained the privilege of attaching officers for making such observations to general staff of each of the belligerents. We have cheerfully acceded to this urgent application, so far as it relates to the army of the United States, but we cannot extend the commission so as to permit commissioners to pass our lines to make observations among the insurgents. You need not be informed that the United States have not only not recognized the insurgents of this country as a lawful belligerent, but that this government constantly protested against the award of that character to them by France, and other foreign powers. We have distinctly asserted that they ought to be regarded by all friendly powers as avowed insurgents. The President has not deviated from this line of policy, and could not with a just regard to the public welfare deviate from it further than to alleviate the severities of the painful conflict by such exceptional practices in regard to prisoners of war as the sympathies of fraternity and humanity require. We have no jealousy of France, and have perfect confidence that such a military commission as she proposes would conduct itself with entire abstinence from whatever might be prejudicial to the United States. But at the same time we cannot fail to see that the insurgents themselves would infer from such a concession to France that we were willing to regard them as a recognized military power, and that this erroneous interpretation would have a tendency to prolong their resistance to the national authority. Not long ago her Britannic Majesty's government applied to the United States for leave to send an agent through our military lines to remonstrate with the insurgents. It was believed that such a remonstrance could not in itself be injurious to the interests of this government; but the request was nevertheless declined upon the same general ground that I have assumed in this communication. You will please make these necessary explanations to M. Drouyn de l'Huys, with the assurance that the President sincerely regrets that he finds himself obliged to withhold a courtesy which would be gratifying to the Emperor of France. I have frankly made known to Mr. Geofroy the contents of this despatch. I am, sir, your obedient servant, SIR: After sundry impediments, which, it would seem, have rendered the. action of the Archduke Maximilian somewhat uncertain, and have much delayed his departure, it would seem he has at last accepted the offered crown of Mexico, and to-day he starts on his most adventurous career, going to that country by the way of Rome that he may receive the benediction of the Pope. I enclose you a slip, cut from Galignani, giving the substance of his speech to the Mexican deputation upon accepting the crown offered by them, and likewise another short slip, cut from the Moniteur, being its only comment of to-day on the subject. The French papers say that his government will not only be promptly acknowledged by the Catholic powers, but by all the leading governments of Europe, including England, Russia, Prussia, and France. For something like this you will, of course, be prepared. I need not say what I have in substance said before, that I look upon this proceeding with intense anxiety. Nothing has occurred since my residence at this court which foreshadows future difficulty with France so probably as its action in this matter. God grant that it may be long delayed, and, if possible, avoided; but I fear. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. "TRIESTE, 10th.-The Emperor arrived at Miramar yesterday morning at eight o'clock. After signing the documents and taking breakfast, his Majesty returned to Vienna, accompanied by the archdukes and Count de Rechberg. Their Mexican Majesties will leave to-morrow at 4 p. m. The reception of the deputation takes place this day." "TRIESTE, 10th.-This day, a little before noon, took place, at Miramar, the official reception of the Mexican deputation, and the acceptation of the crown of Mexico by the Archduke Maximilian. M. Guttierez de Estrada, the head of the deputation, delivered a long address, in which he dwelt on the importance of the national vote of Mexico. The archduke, replying in Spanish, said that he felt not the slightest doubt, from the act of adhesion just presented to him, that the immense majority of the country were in favor of the imperial form of government, and of himself as the head of the state. The choice of the country had been laid down in his reply of October 3 as one condition of his acceptance; and another was that full guarantees should be given of his being able to devote himself peaceably to the task of advancing the prosperity of the country. Those guarantees were now fully assured, thanks to the magnanimity of the Emperor of the French, who, during the whole of the negotiations, had shown a straightforwardness and kindness which he (the speaker) could never forget. The illustrious head of my family,' pursued the archduke, having given his consent, I now declare that, relying on the assistance of the Almighty, I accept the crown offered me by the Mexican nation. As I stated in my address of October 3, I shall endeavor to place the monarchy under the authority of the constitutional laws as soon as the pacification of the country shall be complete. The force of a government is, in my opinion, more assured by sound regulations than by the extent of its limits, and I shall be anxious for the exercise of my government to fix such bounds to it as may insure its duration. I shall hold firmly aloft the flag of independence, as the symbol of our future grandeur. I call for the cooperation of all the Mexicans who love their country to aid me in the accomplishment of my noble but most difficult task. Never shall my government forget the gratitude it owes to the illustrious sovereign whose friendly support has rendered the regeneration of our noble land possible. I am now on the point of leaving for my new country, paying, as I go, a visit to Rome, where I shall receive from the holy father that benediction which is so precious for all sovereigns, but above all to me, called, as I am, to found a new empire." [Translation.] PARIS, April 10. To-day, the 10th of April, at ten o'clock in the morning, the Archduke Maximilian received at his palace of Miramar the Mexican deputation charged with the duty of offering to him the crown. Mr. Gutierez de Estrada, the head of the deputation, made a speech to his imperial and royal highness on presenting to him the vote of the people of the various localities. The archduke replied by a formal acceptance. The head of the deputation thanked his Majesty, and laid at his feet the testimonial of fidelity of the Mexican nation. Immediately the Mexican flag was hoisted on the palace, and was saluted with twenty-one guns. A Te Deum was sung. To-morrow, at four o'clock, the Emperor and Empress of Mexico will set out for their new dominions. No. 450.] Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward. PARIS, April 14, 1864. SIR: I herewith enclose to you a number of slips, cut from Galignani of the 12th, 13th and 14th of this month, in reference to the Archduke Maximilian, and his acceptance of the throne of Mexico, which I have thought might be interesting to you. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c. WM. L. DAYTON. The Mémorial Diplomatique gives a long account of the reception of the Mexican deputation at Miramar on Sunday. As the archduke always throws open his park to the public on holidays, an immense crowd collected to witness the arrival of the procession. The account says: "Four carriages, belonging to his imperial highness, preceded by outriders, went to convey the deputation from the hotel where they had lodged at the expense of the archduke. The deputation was composed of M. Gutierrez de Estrada, the president; Colonel Velasquez de Leon, ex-minister; M. Aguilar, ex-chargé d'affaires; General Woll; M. Esandon, banker; and M. Landa, merchant. A number of eminent Mexicans, among whom were M. Arrangoiz, cx-minister of finance; M. Murphy, formerly Mexican envoy at London. Colonel Fatio, M. Gutierrez de Estrada, jun., with several generals, colonels, and other officers, accompanied the deputation. All were in full uniform, as were also the officers of the household of the archduke, aides-de-camp, and the chamberlains. The deputation, after being received by Count Zichy, who filled the functions of grand master of the household of his imperial highness, were introduced into the grand drawing-room, into which the Archduke Maximilian, wearing the uniform of an Austrian vice-admiral, immediately afterwards entered. The French and Belgian ministers in Austria were present at the solemnity. M Gutierrez de Estrada then delivered a speech in the Spanish language expressing the joy felt by the Mexican deputation in finding themselves in presence of his imperial highness; they had come in the name of the imperial regency to announce that the vote of the notables which had conferred the crown on him is henceforth ratified by the enthusiastic adhesion of the immense majority of the country; the unanimous acclamation of the notables of Mexico, of the municipal authorities and of the popular corporations has become a truly national vote.' The archduke then made the reply which has been transmitted by telegram. The account then goes on to say: 'As soon as the archduke had uttered the last word, the deputation and all the Mexicans present acclaimed their new sovereign by crying out three times 'God save the Emperor Maximilian I.' 'God save the Empress Charlotte!' At the same instant, salutes of artillery, fired from the bastions of the castle, announced to the public the accession of the Archduke Maximilian to the throne of Mexico, and were immediately followed by other salutes from the port and town of Trieste. Then M. Gutierrez de Estrada, as president of the deputation, returned thanks to his Majesty for his definitive acceptance of the Mexican crown. He said: "Sire, this complete and absolute acceptation on the part of your Majesty is the prelude of our happiness; it is the consecration of the salvation of Mexico, of its approaching regeneration, of its future greatness. Every year, on this day, our children will offer up their thanksgivings to Heaven in gratitude for our miraculous deliverance. As for us, sire, there remains a last duty to perform, and that is to lay at your feet our love, our gratitude, and the homage of our fidelity." On saying those words the president of the deputation bent his knee and kissed the hand of the new sovereign, according to Spanish custom, as a mark of homage. His example was followed by all the Mexicans present. A proces verbal of the acceptance of the crown of Mexico having been drawn up, the Emperor Maximilian first affixed his signature to it, after which the members of the deputation did the same, and lastly the notable Mexicans. That ceremony having been accomplished, the deputation proceeded into the apartments of the Princess Charlotte, whom they also proclaimed, and rendered homage to her in the same manner. While those things were taking place at Miramar, the news of the proclamation of the Emperor of Mexico had already reached Trieste, and the bishop had a solemn Te Deum of thanksgiving celebrated in the cathedral of San Giusto, at which all the authorities of the town were present. Salutes from the batteries were fired at the same time. On the same day M. Velasquez de Leon, minister without portfolio, and General Woll, chief of the military household, took possession of their respective posts near the person of the Emperor. In the evening there was to be a grand dinner at Miramar, when the new Emperor was to appear for the first time in the uniform of a Mexican lieutenant general, modified on the model of the French army. His Majesty Maximilian I will also wear the insignia of the order of the Virgin of La Guadalupa and of the national order of Mexico. A grand representation and a full-dress ball are to be given at the theatre at Trieste by the municipality." The same journal likewise gives some information as to the settlement of the difference which has arisen concerning the Archduke Maximilian's position in the reigning family in Austria. It says: "To avoid dynastic quarrels and obviate the partition of the patrimonial property of the house of Austria, a family law imposes on every archduchess contracting marriage the obligation of signing an act of renunciation. By this engagement she undertakes not to raise for herself or for her descendants of either sex any pretensions to the eventual succession to the throne, nor to any participation in either the endowments raised on the patrimonial property, or the inheritances which might fall in ab intestato. The creation of the patrimonial property dates from the reign of Maria Theresa; a considerable portion of the family property was set aside for the extraordinary requirements of the different members of the family. The Grand Duke of Tuscany and the Duke |