Office of the Historian

Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward

No. 75.]
Legation of the United States, Paris, April 30, 1867.

Sir: I use the open mail to-day, without waiting for the despatch bag of the 3d proximo, to communicate a translation of an editorial article in the Moniteur of this morning, which strongly confirms the opinion I expressed in my despatch No. 74.of Friday last, in regard to the maintenance of peace in Europe, the first reassuring intelligence was received on Friday night, a few hours after my despatch was written; and although the speech of King William to the Prussian Parliament yesterday makes no allusion to the Luxembourg question, no unfavorable inference has been drawn from his silence. The speech was published here [Page 240] last evening, and the article in the Moniteur would hardly have appeared if it had been the subject of unfriendly interpretation.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,

JOHN A. DIX.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Untitled]

[From the Moniteur, April 30, 1867.—Translation.]

At the time when late events relative to the Duchy of Luxembourg had given rise to apprehensions for the maintenance of peace, the French army in consequence of reductions effected in 1865 had fallen below its established effective strength. In addition the corps of occupation of Mexico in returning to France had left in America 7,000 horses, of which 3,000 were draught horses, which it was indispensable to replace.

It was therefore the duty of the government to take measures of precaution. These have consisted in raising the strength of the regiment, in buying a certain number of horses, and in putting the frontier forts in a state of defence.

The pacific news of the last few days have determined the Emperor to order that no new measures be taken, with a view to give public opinion no pretext for excitement nor to diminish the hopes of peace.

Thus the number of horses to be bought will be limited to what is absolutely necessary, and soldiers on leave, and who were to have been recalled, will be permitted to remain at home.