Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 118, covering a copy of a confidential despatch to our minister at Vienna in regard to the proceedings of the French government in Mexico.
There can be no doubt of the prudence and propriety of your instruction that we should abstain from discussion of the important questions connected with the present situation of Mexico until a more appropriate time and opportunity shall be presented by events which are now fast taking shape and substance. In fact, the policy of our government in reference to the states of the American continent speaks so emphatically for itself, and is so generally known and understood in Europe, as to require little of either explanation or representation on the part of its diplomatic agents abroad.
That policy is founded upon justice and right, and involves various obligations and duties. If foreign powers deliberately assail and violate it, they cannot be ignorant of the results which must sooner or later attend any such infraction. It is only natural that the people of the United States should feel a deep concern for the fate of Mexico, from immediate neighborhood, from the nature of her political institutions, and from the common destiny which may be regarded, in the not far future, as the hope and aspiration of both.
An occasion may possibly happen when it will be proper for that feeling to be affirmed formally and distinctly, and we will be better prepared to exercise an effective influence at the opportune moment by a becoming reserve until it occurs. Intelligent and candid opinion will not misjudge us for avoiding unnecessary complications that might weaken our position, impair the value of our co-operation, and, perhaps, injure the rightful claim of Mexico to the sympathy [Page 274] and support of the friends of liberal institutions and constitutional government everywhere. Despotic rulers and the champions of absolutism have always regarded us with jealousy, disfavor, and distrust. Their instruments will be apt to pursue the work of misrepresentation until exhaustion succeeds to injustice. But if we continue wise in our conduct towards Mexico, experience may serve to correct some of these European errors, and to remove many delusions concerning the policy, purposes, and power of the United States.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.