the commissioners would seek, by means of well-ordered | and profound deliberation, whether these interests are definitively irreconcilable, whether separation is an extreme that can no longer be avoided, or whether the memories of a common existence, the ties of every kind which have made of the North and the South one whole Federative State, and have borne them on to so high a degree of prosperity, are not more powerful than the causes which have placed arms in the hands of the two populations.

The suggestion is not an extraordinary one, and it may well have been thought by the Emperor of the French, in the earnestness of his benevolent desire for the restoration of peace, a feasible one. But when M. Drouyn de l'Huys shall come to review it in the light in which it must necessarily be examined in this country, I think he can hardly fail to perceive that it amounts to nothing less than a proposition that, while this Government is engaged in suppressing an armed insurrection, with the purpose of maintaining the constitutional national authority, and preserving the integrity of the country, it shall enter into diplomatic discussion with the insurgents upon the questions whether that authority shall not be renounced, and whether the country shall not be delivered over to disunion, to be quickly followed by ever increasing anarchy.

sities, and therefore can seldom be conformed to precedenta Great Britain, when entering on the negotiations had manifestly come to entertain doubts of her ultimate success; and it is certain that the councils of the colonies could not fail to take new courage, if not to gain other advantage, when the parent State compromised so far as to treat of peace on the terms of conceding their independence.

It is true, indeed, that peace must come at some time, and that conferences must attend, if they are not allowed to precede the pacification. There is, however, a better form for such conferences than the one which M. Drouyn de l'Huys suggests. The latter would be palpably in deroga tion of the Constitution of the United States, and would carry no weight because destitute of the sanction necessary to bind either the disloyal or the loyal portions of the people. On the other hand, the Congress of the United States furnishes a constitutional forum for debates between the alienated parties. Senators and Representatives from the loyal portion of the people are there already, freely empowered to confer; and seats also are vacant, and invit ing Senators and Representatives of the discontented party who may be constitutionally sent there from the States involved in the insurrection. Moreover, the conferences which can thus be held in Congress have this great advantage over any that could be organized upon the plan of M. Drouyn de l'Huys, namely: that the Congress, if it were thought wise, could call a national convention to adopt its recommendations, and give them all the solemnity and binding force of organic law. Such conferences between the alienated parties may be said to have already begun. Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and MissouriGovern-States which are claimed by the insurgents-are already represented in Congress, and submitting with perfect freedom, and in a proper spirit, their adve upon the course best calculated to bring about, in the shortest time, a firm, lasting, and honorable peace. Representatives have been sent, also, from Louisiana, and others are understood to be coming from Arkansas.

If it were possible for the Government of the United States to compromise the National authority so far as to enter into such debates, is it not easy to perceive what good results could be obtained by them.

The commissioners must agree in recommending either that the Union shall stand, or that it shall be voluntarily dissolved; or else they must leave the vital question unsettled, to abide at last the fortunes of the war. The ment has not shut out knowledge of the present temper, any more than of the past purposes of the insurgents. There is not the least ground to suppose that the controling actors would be persuaded at this moment, by any arguments which national commioners could offer, to forego the ambition that has impelled them to the disloyal position they are occupying. Any commissioners who There is a preponderating argument in favor of the conshould be appointed by these actors, or through their dic-gressional form of conference over that which is suggested by tation or influence, must enter the conference imbued with M. Drouyn de l'Huys, namely: that while an accession to the spirit, and pledged to the personal fortunes of the in- the latter would bring this Government into a concurrence surgent chiefs. The loyal people in the insurrectionary with the insurgents in disregarding and setting aside an im States would be unheard, and any offer for peace by this Gov-portant part of the Constitution of the United States, and erument, on the condition of the maintenance of the Union must necessarily be rejected.

On the other hand, as I have already intimated, this Government has not the least thought of relinquishing the trust which has been confided to it by the nation, under the most solemn of all political sanctions; and if it had any such thought, it would still have abundant reason to know that peace proposed at the cost of dissolution would bo immediately, unreservedly, and indignantly rejected by the American people. It is a great mistake that European statesmen make, if they suppose this people are demoralized. Whatever, in the case of an insurrection, the people of France, or of Great Britain, or of Switzerland, or the Netherlands would do to save their national existences, no mutter how the strife might be regarded by or affect foreign nations, just so much, and certainly no less, the people of the United States will do, if necessary to save for the common benefit the region which is bounded by the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and by the shores of the Gulfs of St. Law rence and Mexico, together with the free and common navi. gation of the Rio Grande, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, St. Lawrence, Hudson, Delaware, Potomac, and other natural highways by which this land, which to them is at Once a land of inheritance and a land of promise, is opened and watered. Even if the agents of the American people now exercising their power, should, through fear or faction, fall below this height of the national virtue, they would be speedily, yet constitutionally, replaced by others or sterner character and patriotism.

I must be allowed to say, also, that M. Dronyn de l'Huyn errs in his description of the parties to the present conflict. We have here, in a political sense, no North and South, nc Southern and northern States. We have an insurrectionary party, which is located chiefly upon and adjacent to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico; and we have, on the other hand, a loyal people, who constitute not only northern States, but also eastern, middle, western, and southern States.

I have on many occasions heretofore submitted to the French Government the President's views of the interests and the ideas more effective for the time than even interests which lie at the bottom of the American Government and people to sustain the Federal Union. The President has done the same thing in his messages and other public declarations. I refrain, therefore, from reviewing that argu. ment in connection with the existing question.

M. Dronyn de l'Huys draws to his aid the conferences which took place between the colonies and Great Britain, in our Revolutionary war. He will allow us to assume, that action in the crisis of a nation must accord with its neces

so would be of pernicious example, the congressional conference, on the contrary, preserves and gives new strength to that sacred writing which must continue through future ages the sheet anchor of the Republic.

You will be at liberty to read this dispatch to M. Drouyn de l'Huys, and to give him a copy, if he shall desire it. To the end that you may be informed of the whole case, transmit a copy of M. Drouyn de l'Huys's dispatch. I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

I

RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS UPON FOREIGN
MEDIATION.

Third Session, Thirty-Seventh Congress. Whereas it appears from the diplomatic correspondence submitted to Congress that a proposition, friendly in form, looking to pacification through foreign mediation, has been made to the United States by the Emperor of the French and promptly declined by the President; and whereas the idea of mediation or intervention in some shape may be regarded by foreign governments as practicable, and such governments, through this misunderstanding, may be led to proceedings tending to embarrass the friendly relations which now exist between them and the United States; and whereas, in order to remove for the future all chance of misunderstanding on this subject, and to secure, for the United States the full enjoyment of that freedom from foreign interference which is one of the highest rights of independent States, it seems fit that Congress should declare its convictions thereon: Therefore,

Resolved, (the House of Representatives concurring.) That while, in times past, the United States have sought and accepted the friendly mediation or arbitration of foreign pow era for the pacific adjustment of international questions, where the United States were the party of the one part and some other sovereign power the party of the other part; and while they are not disposed to misconstrue the natural and humane desire of foreign powers to aid in arresting domestic troubles, which, widening in their influence, have afflicted other countries, especially in view of the circumstance, deeply regretted by the American people, that the blow aimed by the rebellion at the national life has fallen heavily upon the laboring population of Europe; yet, notwithstanding these things, Congress cannot hesitate to regard every proposition of foreign interference in the present contest as so far unreasonable and inadmissible that its only explanation will be found in a misunderstanding of the

true state of the question, and of the real character of the war in which the Republic is engaged.

| bell, Casey, Chamberlain, Clark, Clements, Colfax, Freder ick A. Conkling, Roscoe Conkling, Conway, Covode, Cutler, Dawes, Dunn, Edgerton, Eliot, Ely, Fenton, Samuel C. Fessenden, Thomas A. D. Fessenden, Fisher. Flanders, Franchot, Frank, Gooch, Goodwin, Granger, Gurley, Haight, Hale, Harrison, Horton, Hutchins, Julian, Kelley, Francis W. Kellogg, William Kellogg, Leary, Lehman, Loomis, Low, McIndor, McKean, McKnight, McPherson, Marston, Maynard, Mitchell, Moorhoad, Anson P. Morrill, Justin S. Morrill, Nixon, Olin, Patton, Timothy G. Phelps, Pike, Pomeroy, Porter, Alexander II. Rice, John H. Rico, Edward H. Rollins, Sargent, Sedgwick, Shanks, Sheffield, Sheilabarger, Sloan, Smith, Spaulding, Stevens, Stratton, Benjamin F. Thomas, Francis Thomas, Train, Trimble, Trowbridge, Van Valkenburgh, Van Wyck, Verree, Walker, Wallace, Washburue, Webster, Wheeler, Albert S. White, Wilson, Windom, Worcester, Wright-103.

2. That the United States are now grappling with an unprovoked and wicked rebellion, which is seeking the destruction of the Republic that it may build a new power, whose corner-stone, according to the confession of its chiets, shall be slavery; that for the suppression of this rebellion, and thus to save the Republic and to prevent the establishment of such a power, the national Government is now employing armies and fleets in full faith that through those efforts all the purpose of conspirators and rebels will bo crushed; that while engaged in this struggle, on which so much depends, any proposition from a foreign power, whatever form it may take, having for its object the arrest of these efforts, is, just in proportion to its influence, an encouragement to the rebellion and to its declared principles, and on this account, is calculated to prolong and imbitter the conflict, to cause increased expenditure of blood and treasure, and to postpone the much desired day of peace; that, with these convictions, and not doubting that every such proposition, although made with good intent, is injurious to the national interests, Congress will be obliged to look upon any further attempt in the same direction as an unfriendly act, which it earnestly deprecates, to the end that nothing may occur abroad to strengthen the rebellion LETTER OF LORD LYONS TO EARL RUSSELL REor to weaken those relations of good will with foreign powers which the United States are happy to cultivate.

NAYS-Messrs. William Allen, Ancona, Calvert, Crittenden, Dunlap, Grider, Johnson, Kerrigan, Knapp, Lazear, Mallory, May, Noble, Norton, Nugen, Pendleton, Perry, Price, Robinson, Shiel, Stiles, Vallandigham, Voorhees, Wadsworth, Ward, Chilton A. White, Wickliffe, Yeaman-28.

SPECTING MEDIATION.

3. That the rebellion from its beginning, and far back WASHINGTON, November 17, 1862. even in the conspiracy which preceded its outbreak, was In his dispatches of the 17th and of the 24th ultimo, and encouraged by the hope of support from foreign powers; of the 7th instant, Mr. Stuart reported to your lordship the that its chiefs frequently boasted that the people of Europe result of the elections for members of Congress and State were so far dependent upon regular supplies of the great officers, which have recently taken place in several of the southern staple that sooner or later their governments most important States of the Union. Without repeating would be constrained to take side with the rebellion in the details, it will bo sufficient for me to observe that the some effective form, even to the extent of forcible interven- success of the Democratic, or (as it now styles itself) the tion, if the milder form did not prevail; that the rebellion Conservative Party, has been so great as to manifest a is now sustained by this hope, which every proposition of change in public feeling, among the most rapid and the foreign interference quickens anew, and that without this most complete that has ever been witnessed, even in this life-giving support it must soon yield to the just and pater- country. nal authority of the national Government; that, consider- On my arrival at New York on the 8th instant I found ing these things, which are aggravated by the motive of the the Conservative leaders exulting in the crowning success resistance thus encouraged, the United States regret that achieved by the party in that State. They appeared to reforeign powers have not frankly told the chiefs of the rebel-joice, above all, in the conviction that personal liberty and lion that the work in which they are engaged is hateful, freedom of speech had been secured for the principal State and that a new government, such as they seek to found, of the Union. They believed that the Government must at with slavery as its acknowledged corner-stone, and with no once desist from exercising in the State of New York the other declared object of separate existence, is so far shock- extraordinary (and as they regarded them) illegal and uning to civilization and the moral sense of mankind that it constitutional powers which it had assumed. They were must not expect welcome or recognition in the common-confident that at all events after the 1st of January next, wealth of nations. on which day the newly elected Governor would come into office, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus could not be practically maintained. They seemed to be persuaded that the result of the elections would be accepted by the President as a declaration of the will of the people; that he would increase the moderate and conservative element in the Cabinet; that he would seek to terminate the war, not to push it to extremity; that he would endeavor to effect a reconciliation with the people of the South, and renounce the idea of subjugating or exterminating them.

4. That the United States, confident in the justice of their cause, which is the cause also of good government and of human rights everywhere among men; anxious for the speedy restoration of peace, which shall secure tranquillity at home and remove all occasion of complaint abroad; and awaiting with well-assured trust the final suppression of the rebellion, through which all these things, rescued from present danger, will be secured forever, and the Republic, one and indivisible, triumphant over its enemies, will continue to stand an example to mankind, hereby announce, as their unalterable purpose, that the war will be vigorously prosecuted, according to the humane principles of Christian States, until the rebellion shall be suppressed; and they reverently invoke upon their cause the blessings of Almighty God.

5. That the President be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions, through the Secretary of State, to the ministers of the United States in foreign countries, that the declaration and protest herein set forth may be communicated by them to the government to which they are accredited.

1863, March 3-The resolutions were passed by the Senate-yeas 31, nays 5, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Arnold, Chandler, Clark, Collamer, Daris, Dixon, Doolittle, Fessenden, Foot, Foster, Grimes, Harding, Harlan, Harris, Henderson, Hicks, Howard, Howe, King, Lane of Indiana, Morrill, Nesmith, eroy, Sumner, Ten Eyck, Trumbull, Wade, Willey, Wilmot, Wilson of Massachusetts-31. NAYS-Messrs. Carlile, Latham, Powell, Saulsbury, Wall

-5.

On the following morning, however, intelligence arrived from Washington which dashed the rising hopes of the Conservatives. It was announced that General McClellan had been dismissed from the command of the army of the Potomac, and ordered to repair to his home; that he had, in fact, been removed altogether from active service. The general had been regarded as the representative of Conservative principles in the army. Support of him had been made one of the articles of the Conservative electoral programme. His dismissal was taken as a sign that the Pres ident had thrown himself entirely into the arms of the extreme radical party, and that the attempt to carry out tion of the Conservatives at New York was certainly very the policy of that party would be persisted in. The irrita. great; it seemed, however, to be not unmixed with con sternation and despondency.

Several of the leaders of the Democratic party sought in terviews me, both before and after the arrival of the intel Pom-ligence of General McClellan's dismissal. The subject up permost in their minds while they were speaking to me, was naturally that of foreign mediation between the North and South. Many of them seemed to think that this mediation must come at last, but they appeared to be very much afraid of its coming too soon. It was evident that they apprehended that a premature proposal of foreign interven tion would afford the Radical party a means of reviving the violent war spirit, and of thus defeating the peaceful plans of the Conservatives. They appeared to regard the present moment as peculiarly unfavorable for such an offer, and indeed, to hold that it would be essential to the success of

1863, March 3-The above resolutions were considered in the House.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM moved to lay them on the table; which was negatived-yeas 29, nays 92. They were then passed-yeas 103, nays 28,

as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Aldrich, Alley, Arnold, Ashley, Babbitt, Baily, Baker, Baxter, Bingham, Jacob B. Blair, Samuel S. Blair, Blake, Bridges, William G. Brown, Buffinton, Camp

any proposal from abroad that it should be deferred until the control of the Executive Government should be in the hands of the Conservative party.

I gave no opinion on the subject. I did not say whether or no I myself thought foreign intervention probable or ad

|

At the present moment, therefore, the chiefs of the Conservative party call loudly for a more vigorous prosecution of the war, and reproach the Government with slackness as well as with want of success in its military measures. But they repudiate all idea of interfering with the institutions of the southern people, or of waging a war of subjugation or extermination. They maintain that the object of the military operations should be to place the North in a position to demand an armistice with honor and effect. The armistice should (they hold) be followed by a convention, in which such changes of the Constitution should be proposed as would give the South ample security on the subject of its slave property, and would enable the North and the South to reunite and to live together in peace and harmony. The Conservatives profess to think that the South might be induced to take part in such a convention, and that a res-office expires next March. The new Congress is likely toration of the Union would be the result.

say that this resolution truly interprets the unanimous sen- cerning Mexico, as you have reported it, is entirely approved. timent of the people of the United States in regard to Mex. The resolution yet remains unacted upon in the Senate. ico. It is, however, another and distinct question whether Mr. Corwin was to leave Vera Cruz on the 3d instant 10the United States would think it necessary or proper to der the leave of absence granted to him by this department express themselves in the form adopted by the House of on the 8th of August last. Representatives at this time. This is a practical and purely SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Executive question, and the decision of its constitutionality dispatch of May 2, (No. 461,) and to approve of your pro belongs not to the House of Representatives, nor even to ceedings therein mentioned. We learn that Mr. Corwin, Congress, but to the President of the United States. You our minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, is at Havana, on will, of course, take notice that the declaration made by the his return to the United States, under leave of absence. House of Representatives is in the form of a joint resolution, which, before it can acquire the character of a legislative

June 4-Mr. Davis, of Maryland, . asked act, must receive, first, the concurrence of the Senate, and, unanimous consent to make a written report secondly, the approval of the President of the United States; from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in reor, in case of his dissent, the renewed assent of both houses of Congress, to be expressed by a majority of two-thirds of sponse to the above message of the President. each body. While the President receives the declaration of Mr. BROOMALL objected. the House of Representatives with the profound respect to June 6—He asked consent, and Mr. ARNOLD which it is entitled, as an exposition of its sentiments upon objected. He then moved to suspend the rules, a grave and important subject, he directs that you inform the Government of France that he does not at present con- which was rejected-yeas 43, nays 55, (two template any departure from the policy which this Govern- thirds being required,) as follows: ment has hitherto pursued in regard to the war which exists between France and Mexico. It is hardly necessary to

YEA8—Messrs. Allison, Ancona, Augustus C. Baldroin, say that the proceeding of the House of Representatives was

Cor, Henry Winter Davis, Dawson, Eden, Edgerton, Eldriilge, adopted upon suggestions arising within itself, and not upon

Finck, Ganson, Garfield, Grider, Griswold, Harding, Him any communication of the Executive department; and that rington, Charles M. Harris, Herrick, Holman, Jenckes, King, the French Government would be seasonably apprised of Knupp, Lazear, Le Blond, Long, Mallory, Marcy, James R. any change of policy upon this subject which the President Morris, Morrison, Noble, Odell, Orth, Pendleton, Perry, might at any future time think it proper to adopt.

Robinson, Ross, Scott, Spalding, Strouse, Sweat, Wadsworth
Chilton A. White, Joseph W. While-43.

Nays-Messrs. Alley, Ames, Arnold, Baily, John D. Bal MR. DAFTON'S LETTER, DATED PARIS, APRIL 22, 1864. win, Beaman, Blaine, Jacob B. Blair, Broomall, Ambrose SIR : I visited M. Drouyn de l'Hnys yesterday at the de- W. Clark, Freeman Clarke, Cobb, Coffraith, Cole, Thomas T. partment of foreign affairs. The first words he addressed Davis, Dawes, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eliot, Farnsworth, to me, on entering the room, were: “Do you bring us peace, Fenton, Frank, Gooch, Griune!), Hale, Hotchkiss, John H. or bring us war?” I asked him to what he referred, and he Hubbard, Ingersoll, Kelley, Orlando Kellogg, Littlejohn, said he referred more immediately to those resolutions Longyear, Marvin, Samuel F. Miller, Moorhead, Daniel Mor recently passed by Congress in reference to the invasion of ris, Amos Myers, Charles O'Neill, Patterson, Perham, Price, Mexico by the French, and the establishment of Maximilian Alexander H. Rice, John H. Rice, Edward H. Rollius, Shun upon the throne of that country. I said to him, in reply, non, Smithers, Thayer, Tracy, Upson, Ellihu B. Washburne, that I did not think France had a right to infer that we William B. Washburn, Whaley, Wilson, Windom—55. were about to make war against her on account of anything contained in those resolutions; that they embodied nothing was ordered to be printed :

June 27-Mr. Davis made this report, which more than had been constantly held out to the French government from the beginning; that I had always repre- The Committee on Foreign Affnirs have examined the sented to the government here that any action upon their correspondence submitted by the President relative to the part interfering with the form of government in Mexico joint resolution on Mexican affairs with the profonnd re would be looked upon with dissatisfaction in our country, spect to which it is entitled, because of the gravity of its and they could not expect us to be in haste to acknowledge subject and the distinguished source from which it emana monarchical government, built upon the foundations of a ated. republic which was our next neighbor; that I had reason They regret that the President should have so widely to believe you held the same language to the French Min- departed from the usage of constitutional governments as ister in the United States. This allegation he did not seem to make a pending resolution of so grave and delicate a to deny, but obviously viewed the resolutions in question character the subject of diplomatic explanations. They re as a serious step upon our part; and I am told that the gret still more that the President should have thought leading secessionists here build largely upon these resolutions proper to inform a foreign government of a radical and an as a means of fomenting ill-feeling between this country and rious conflict of opinion and jurisdiction between the do some others and ourselves. Mr. Mason and his secretary positories of the legislative and executive power of the have gone to Brussels to confer with Mr. Dudley Mann, United States. who is their commissioner at that place. Mr. Slidell, it is No expression of deference can make the denial of the said, was to have gone to Austria, although he has not yet right of Congress constitutionally to do what the House

did with absolute unaniinity, other than derogatory to their SECOND LETTER FROM MR. DAYTON, Paris, MAY 2, 1864, BEING

dignity. IN REPLY TO MR. SEWARD'S OF APRIL 7.

They learn with surprise that, in the opinion of the Prest

ident, the form and term of expressing the judgment of the SIR: Immediately upon the receipt of your dispatch No. United States on recognizing a monarchical government im525, I applied to M. Drouyn de l'Huys for a special inter- posed on a neighboring republic is a “purely executive view, which was granted for Saturday last. I then said that question, and the decision of it constitutionally belongs not I knew that the French government had felt somo anxiety to the House of Representatives, nor even to Congress, but in respect to the resolution which had recently been passed to the President of the United States." by the House of Representatives, in reference to Mexico; This assumption is equally novel and inadmissible to and inasmuch as I had just received a copy of that resolu- President has ever claimed such an exclusive authority. tion, together with the views of the President of the United No Congress can ever permit its expressiou to pass without States, I begged, if agreeable, to read to him your dispatch dissent. in reference to the latter. To this he assented, and as the It is certain that the Constitution nowhere confers such shortest and most satisfactory mode, following out my in- authority on the President. structions, I read to him that entire portion of your dispatch The precedents of recognition, sufficiently numerons in which applies to this subject, stating, at the same time, that this revolutionary era, do not countenance this view; and I thought it was a remarkable illustration of the frankness if there be one not inconsistent with it, the committee have and straightforwardness of the President. When the read- not found it. ing was closed, M. Drouyn de l'Iluys expressed his gratifi- All questions of recognition have heretofore been delated cation, and after asking some questions in regard to the and considered as grave questions of national policy, ed effect of laying a resolution upon the table in the Senate, which the will of the people should be expressed in Congress the conversation terminated.

assembled; and the President, as the proper medium ot for. Me extreme sensitiveness which was manifested by this eign intercourse, has executed that will. If he has ever government when the resolution of the House of Represen- anticipated its expression, we have not found the car. tatives was first brought to its knowledge has, to a consider- The declaration and establishment of the independence able extent, at least, subsided.

of the Spanish American colonies first brought the question Mr. Seward's responses of May 9 and May 21: of recognition of new governments or nations before the

Government of the United States; and the precedents then SIE : Your dispatch of April 22 (No. 454) has been received. set have been followed ever since, even by the present Act

What you have said to M. Drouyn de l'Huys on the subministration. joct of the resolution of the House of Representatives con- The correspondence now before us is the first attempt to

got off.