John Lothrop Motley, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
Department of State, Washington,
October 10, 1862.
Sir: Your despatch of the 17th ultimo
brings a letter which was written by you to General Garibaldi on the
first of September last.
I am directed by the President to inform you that your proceeding in
writing that letter is disapproved.
First. It is, in its nature, not a consular but a diplomatic act,
transcending your proper functions, which is considered the more
unpardonable when it is remembered that the United States are
represented not only at Turin but even at Vienna, where you reside,
by a minister invested with the most ample diplomatic authority,
constantly receiving special instructions from this department.
Secondly. Although the proceeding of inviting General Garibaldi to
join the armies of the United States may have seemed to you to have
been warranted by the fact that this government, a year ago,
tendered a command in our armies
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to that distinguished soldier, yet your
proceedings are not at all parallel to those which attended that
case. That invitation was given by the President’s direct authority,
and was not communicated to General Garibaldi until the consent of
the King of Italy, in whose service the general then was, to its
transmission was obtained by the diplomatic representatives of this
country, acting under direct instructions from this department.
Thirdly. In your communication to General Garibaldi you describe his
recent movement as a great patriotic work undertaken in the interest
of his country, although the fact was known to you that the
undertaking had been prohibited by the government of that country,
and that General Garibaldi was taken in arms against that
government. The policy of the United States, in regard to Italy, is
absolute abstinence from all intervention in its domestic affairs.
You have taken up an issue between the government and a portion of
the people of Italy who had risen in arms against it.
At the present conjuncture, when every care is necessarily taken to
avoid injurious complications in foreign affairs, and especially in
Europe, proceedings on your part so entirely divergent from this
judicious policy cannot be overlooked. Upon these grounds your
commission as consul at Vienna is withdrawn.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
T. Canisius, Esq., United States Consulate, Vienna.
