Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton.
Sir: Your despatch of June 5 (No. 156) was received. Since it was written the events in Mexico have taken a new direction. It is not the President’s purpose to charge you at present with any communication to the French government concerning them. But it is only prudent to keep you advised of the condition of our affairs there, and of our views of current transactions.
France has a right to make war against Mexico, and to determine for [Page 355] herself the cause We have a right and interest to insist that France shall not improve the war she makes to raise up in Mexico an anti-republican or anti-American government, or to maintain such a government there. France has disclaimed such designs, and we, besides reposing faith in the assurances given in a frank, honorable manner, would, in any case, be bound to wait for, and not anticipate, a violation of them. Circumstances tend to excite misapprehensions and jealousies between this government and that of France, in spite of all the prudence we can practice. On our part, we studiously endeavor to avoid them. You will, therefore, be fully authorized in assuming that this government does not inspire and has no responsibility for assumptions of a different character made by the press. When we desire explanations from France, or when an occasion shall have arrived to express discontents, we shall communicate directly and explicitly with Mr. Thouvenel through your good offices.
We do not desire to suppress the fact that our sympathies are with Mexico, and our wishes are for the restoration of peace within her borders; nor do we in any sense, for any purpose, disapprove of her present form of government, or distrust her administration. We may have our opinions about the necessity or the expediency of the movements of the late allies, and now the movements of France, in regard to that power. But we are not called upon to retain which, after the explanations received from France, we have no right and no present occasion to enforce.
Mr. Corwin, not having received my despatch announcing to him the vote of the Senate unfavorable to a previous proposition for a treaty making a loan to Mexico, has made a new treaty for a loan of eleven millions of dollars, upon the security of public lands of that republic.
The President will submit this treaty to the Senate, together with the correspondence which has taken place between Mr. Corwin and the Mexican government. But the President will make no recommendation upon the subject. He understands that the treaty conflicts with the previous resolution of the Senate. To recommend it would be to take an appeal, which, in the present condition of things, would be unwise and injurious. The Senate, having the matter before them, as an original question, for their uninfluenced deliberation, will decide it as they shall deem most consistent with the interests and honor of the country. I am not authorized to express any opinion for the Senate, but I may say to you, in confidence, that I know no reason for expecting that that body will reverse its previous decision, although that decision was not in all respects such as the President desired.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton, Esq., &c., &c., &c.