Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Your despatch of August 21 (No. 336) has been received. The explanations of Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, in regard to the views of the Emperor’s government concerning the Central American states, are unexceptionable; and I shall take pleasure in making them known to the parties in whose names the inquiry was instituted.
I have read with much interest the statement you have given me of the remarks which Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys made informally to you concerning the position of the imperial government in Mexico. If we were now authorized to regard them as guaranteed by the Emperor, it would go far to relieve a solicitude, not only here, but in Europe, which I cannot but believe is becoming as inconvenient to France as it is to the United States. Before this despatch will be received you will, probably, have ascertained, in compliance with a previous instruction of mine, whether we are authorized to understand Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys as speaking by authority in the explanations he has thus made.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton, Esq.