Office of the Historian

Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward

No. 139.]
Legation of the United States, Paris, October 22 1867.

Sir: This city has been greatly excited since I wrote you a few days ago by the knowledge that an expedition was fitting out at Marseilles to sustain the Papal government against the revolutionary movement in progress in the states of the Church. The feeling against it was very strong, even among the firmest of the Emperor’s supporters. As the enclosed translation of the leading article in the Moniteur shows, the expedition is to be abandoned, the embarcation of the troops having been countermanded. The revolution seems, by the advices received to-day, to be gaining strength, and the probability now is that the Italian army will ere long occupy Rome—the first step towards making that city the capital of the kingdom of Italy.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX,

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

[Untitled]

[From the Moniteur, October 22, 1867.—Translation.]

In view of the attacks of which the Pontifical States have been the object, on the part of revolutionary bands which have crossed the frontier, the French government had decided to send an expeditionary corps to Civita Vecchia.

This step was an act of duty due to its dignity and honor. The government could not permit its signature affixed to the convention of September 15, 1864, to be violated or disregarded. But the Italian government has given the imperial government the most positive assurances. All the measures required have been taken to prevent the invasion of the Pontifical States, and to restore to the convention its full effect.

In consequence of these communications the Emperor has given orders to stop the embarcation of troops.