Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Your despatch of February 9, No. 419, has been received. In this communication you mention that the Archduke Maximilian, of Austria, is expected in Paris, and that circumstances may arise in which it will be necessary for you either to attend or to decline to attend ceremonies which may be observed in his honor as a sovereign of Mexico, and you ask instructions. I have taken the President’s directions upon the question. If the Archduke Maximilian appears in Paris only in his character as an imperial prince of the house of Hapsburg, you will be expected to be neither demonstrative nor reserved in your deportment towards him. If he appears there with any assumption of political authority or title in Mexico, you will entirely refrain from intercourse with him. Should your proceedings become a subject of inquiry or remark, you will be at liberty, in the exercise of your own discretion, to say that this government, in view of its rights and duties in the present conjuncture of its affairs, has prescribed fixed rules to be observed, not only by this department, but by its representatives in foreign countries. We acknowledge revolutions only by direction of the President, upon full and mature consideration. Until such regular authority for recognition, we do not hold formal or informal communications with political agents or representatives of revolutionary movements in countries with which we maintain diplomatic intercourse.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.