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which may have for its object, on the part of Mexico, to sell, yield, transfer, or hypothecate, in favor of whomsoever it may be, all or any part of the lands, properties, or rents of the state, in order to form of these same lands, properties, and rents, the pledge upon which rest the claims held by France against Mexico. The undersigned avail themselves of this occasion to renew to his excellency the minister of foreign relations the assurances of their distinguished consideration.

CORDOBA, April, 16, 1862.

A. DE SALIGNY.

E. JURIEN.

His Excellency the MINISTER OF Foreign RelaTIONS, Mexico.

Answer to the protest.

The undersigned, charged ad interim with the ministry of foreign relations of the Mexican republic, has the honor to answer the note of their excellencies the commissioners of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, dated Cordoba, April 16.

As the government of the republic recognizes no right in the commissioners to oppose themselves to the treaties which it may celebrate with any power whatever respecting the engagements it may have contracted with its legitimate creditors, the undersigned confines himself to acknowledging the receipt of the protest which in said note is made against any treaty which Mexico may have concluded, or may conclude, with any foreign government whatever, selling, yielding, transferring, or hypothecating the whole or part of the lands, properties, or rents of the nation.

The undersigned will add only, by order of the president, that the protest of the commissioners will not prevent him from celebrating the treaties or conventions alluded to whenever he judges it to be convenient and it be in his power, availing himself in this of that inherent right which belongs to the sovereignty and independence of the nation.

The undersigned has the honor to offer to the commissioners his distinguished consideration.

Liberty and reform! Mexico, April 20, 1862.

Their Excellencies the COMMISSIONERS

JESUS TERAN.

of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, Cordoba.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

No. 46.]

Washington, May 10, 1862.

SIR: War, it appears, has been actually begun between France and Mexico. It is possible that it may result in an overthrow of the existing government of the republic, and the inauguration, or attempt at inauguration, of some new system. It is not the interest of the United States to be hasty in recognizing the revolutionary changes which unhappily are so frequently occurring in Spanish America. It is not always safe to judge that a new government

among them, under whatever auspices it may arise, will prove satisfactory to the people and become permanent. At the same time, it is neither our right nor our duty to prejudge and condemn any new constitution or administration which the fortunes of internal war may call into being. In view of these considerations, the President expects that you will suspend any definite act of recognition in case of a dynastic change in Mexico, and will refer the subject to his own consideration.

It is proper to say, in this connexion, that the President, in directing these instructions, fully believes that they run parallel with your own convictions of expediency and justice.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

THOMAS CORWIN, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

No. 48.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, May 28, 1862.

SIR: Your despatch of April 16 (No. 21) has been received. It is accompanied by a treaty with the republic of Mexico, which you have signed, and which provides for a loan to be made by the United States to that republic, and also by a second treaty which you have signed, and which is designed to perfect the details of the first-mentioned treaty.

At the same time we receive intelligence of a new and important complication of affairs in Mexico, but which is, as yet, so imperfectly developed that it is impossible to determine here what may be the condition of the government and of the republic itself at the present moment. While this uncertainty continues the President is satisfied that, whatever might be his own judgment concerning the treaties you have negotiated, there would be little prospect of obtaining for them the approval of the Senate, which the Constitution prescribes as a necessary condition to his ratification. Just at this moment, also, the government and the country are intently occupied with impending military events, which it is hoped may decide the fate of an attempted revolution, which, if it could be successful, must be regarded as pregnant with confusion, anarchy, and ruin to the whole continent. Under these circumstances the President reserves the consideration of the two treaties for a period more favorable to an intelligent and careful view of the mutual interests of the two countries.

If the wisdom of this reservation were at all uncertain, the doubt would have disappeared in view of the fact that both Mr. Romero, the very enlightened and judicious Mexican chargé here, and Mr. Allen, your messenger, who seems deeply interested in the approval of the treaties, arrived at the conclusion that it would be inexpedient to press their consideration, even before either of the persons had held any conversation with myself or any person connected with the executive department.

The delay, however, need not prevent you from assuring the government of Mexico of the sincere desire of the President for a favorable solution of the existing difficulties, and for the safety and welfare of that republic.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

THOMAS CORWIN, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward.

No. 24.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Mexico, May 20, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos 43, 44, and 45, with the two treaties between the United States and Mexico lately ratified at Washington. The ratifications will be exchanged to-morrow, and the next day Mr. Plumb, with Captain Shufeldt, will leave for Vera Cruz.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

THOMAS CORWIN.

Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.

No. 49.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June 7, 1862.

Your despatch of May 5 (No. 23) has been received. It presents an argument for the ratification of the two treaties with Mexico which you had signed and transmitted to this department at an earlier day. The argument is calm, logical. and earnest. The President is satisfied that your proceedings in this matter have been inspired by just and generous motives, and that the policy you propose is one worthy of very deliberate examination.

You have, however, already been informed that the Senate, on being duly applied to by the President, has advised him not to enter into a treaty which "will require the United States to assume any portion of the principal or interest of the debt of Mexico, or that will require the concurrence of European powers." And it is understood that this advice was agreed in by a nearly unanimous vote of that body, without whose consent no treaty whatever can be made by the executive department of the government.

Under these circumstances the President thinks that it is now his duty to refer the treaties, together with your argument and all other papers relating to the present condition of Mexico, to the Senate, in a confidential manner, for their due consideration.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

THOMAS CORWIN, Esq., &c. &c., &c..

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

1

No. 50.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.

DEPARTMENT of State,

Washington, June 24, 1862.

Your letter of the 22d of May, sent by Captain Shufeldt, has been received. The captain, however, has not come to Washington, as you expected.

The resolution concerning negotiations with Mexico, a copy of which I heretofore sent you, was adopted by a very great majority of votes.. It is said 28 to 8. The opposition was said to combine three classes: One who think that Mexico ought never, in any contingency whatever, either in whole or in part, to be brought into the Union, and who fear that a loan would result in its

annexation, and others who think that it was derogating from the national honor to treat at all with foreign nations concerning Mexico. There was said to be a third class, who feared the influence of subsidies to a foreign state upon the public credit. It would be manifestly unwise and unavailing for the President to take an appeal to the Senate from the decision so recently made with so great unanimity.

He has, therefore, submitted your new treaty to their uninfluenced consideration, declaring simply his convictions of the importance of the matter and his sympathies with the people of Mexico.

I think there are already indications of a more hopeful spirit towards our unfortunate neighbor, and that these will rapidly increase with the growing success of our government in its struggle with the insurgents who have attempted the dissolution of the Union. Notwithstanding the course adopted by the French agents and army in Mexico, the government of France still reassures us that it is their purpose to be content with an adjustment of grievances, leaving it exclusively to the people of Mexico to determine their own form of government, and in no case to put up any or to maintain any one that may come in consequence of the war.

We do not feel at liberty to reject the explanations or to anticipate a violation of the assurances they convey. We shall in the end be the stronger for having acted directly, frankly, in good faith, and with reliance upon the good faith of all others. Under these circumstances at present we decline debate with soreign powers upon Mexican affairs.

But it would be doing injustice to you, as well as much violence to the feelings of the President, if I should neglect to say that however the results of your labors may now be received by the Senate and the country, he nevertheless appreciates and approves the indefatigable efforts you have made, and is deeply impressed with the lofty and generous spirit as well as the great ability which they manifest.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

THOMAS CORWIN, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward.

No. 26.]

LEGATION OF the United States of America,

Mexico, June 3, 1862.

SIR: Three days ago a courier employed by our consul at Vera Cruz arrived here with letters and newspapers from the United States, furnishing the details of the late cheering events in our country. This intelligence is almost as grateful to the government of Mexico as it is to ours. It is believed, and I concur in the opinion, that the prospect of a permanent settlement of our difficulties will have an important and happy effect upon the destinies of this country.

The very anomalous condition of the French in this country gives rise to much speculation and conjecture as to its results, as well as to the real objects and motives of the Emperor. Almonte is evidently the agent employed by some power to subvert the present government, and establish in its stead, as is believed here, a monarchy, more or less absolute, having for its representative some European prince. The Archduke Maxamilian is likely to be the man. The French force now here numbers about seven thousand, with the auxiliaries, headed by Marquez, making in all about ten thousand. It has retreated before. Zaragoza (who commands the government forces) from Puebla to Orizaba, about ninety miles, and is now fortifying itself at the latter city. A few days

ago a detachment, under command of Marquez, marched for Vera Cruz, to bring up General Douai with his troops, about eleven hundred, but learning that Llave was waiting to oppose him with three thousand men at a mountain pass, he returned, leaving Douai at Vera Cruz, losing from ten to fifteen men every day, who fall victims to the vomito.

It is said by well-informed persons here that no more troops are to be sent from France. If this be so, then it is certain the French army will not be able to sustain itself in this country. Almonte himself is not only not popular, but odious to the people of Mexico, and the idea of a foreign potentate is rejected by a vast majority of all parties. It is the confident opinion of well-informed persons here, that the Emperor of the French has been misinformed and greatly deceived as to the true state of public opinion in Mexico. I have heard of no acquisition to the standard of Almonte, borne by the French army, except the bloodthirsty guerillas under Marquez. The English government has settled all matters in dispute with Mexico by a treaty, to which I have referred in a former despatch; and Spain has withdrawn its entire force, intending, no doubt, to treat, after the example of Great Britain.

I have only to repeat my conviction, that it is the obvious interest of the United States, as well as its duty, to ratify at once the treaty with Mexico, ratified here on the 6th of April last. I have in a former despatch given my reasons fully for this opinion, and forbear to repeat them here.

The circular addressed by you to the European courts touching their movements here, while it cannot be objected to anywhere, is received here with the liveliest satisfaction. This government expects the best results from it.

Your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

THOS. CORWIN.

Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.

No. 28.]

Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF the United States of America,
Mexico, June 28, 1862.

SIR: Nothing has occurred since my last despatches to change in any important particular the aspect of affairs in Mexico. The French still occupy their place at Orizaba. The guerillas cut off their communications from Vera Cruz as far as Puebla.

I enclose copies of a correspondence between the captain of a rebel regiment on the frontier of Texas and the Mexican authorities.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

THOS. CORWIN.

Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.

[Translation.]

NATIONAL PALACE, Mexico, June 2, 1862.

SIR: By the annexed copies which I have the honor to transfer to the hands of your excellency you will be made acquainted with the complaints which our principal authority of the State of Tamaulipas has received from the military

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