Mr. Fogg to Mr. Seward.
Sir;Your despatch No. 44, marked “confidential,” of the date of September 14, and enclosing a copy of a despatch dated September 11, to Mr. Motley, United States minister at Vienna, is received.
Having, carefully read your despatch to Mr. Motley, permit me to say that the suggestions therein contained, and which seem to be intended as directions for all the United States diplomatic agents abroad, commend themselves to. my judgment as eminently timely and wise. I cannot doubt that our government looks with intense interest upon the proceedings of the French government in Mexico. There can, for a long time, have been no doubt, in the minds of intelligent observers of the events there transpiring, that the Emperor of France is now, at least, if not at the commencement of his invasion, bent on supplanting a republican form of government by an imperial one, and that without really consulting the Mexican people.
That these proceedings will, at some not very distant day, demand and receive the attention of the people and government of the United States, I firmly believe. That no recognition of, or consent to, those proceedings will ever be extorted from our indifference or weakness I as firmly hope. Having, as that expedition against Mexico did have, its origin in a scheme against the peace and integrity of the United States, it is due, not less imperatively to a sister and neighbor republic than to the dignity and character of our own government, that the invaders receive no aid or countenance at our hands. Begun in conspiracy, and prosecuted under false pretenses, I trust to see no concessions or recognitions on the part of our authorities interposing to save this Mexican enterprise from the disaster and disgrace it so richly merits.
But it is not necessary that we do more at presesent than maintain a “masterly inactivity” in view of events transpiring in Mexico. It may not be advisable that we protest even, except by our silence. Our nation has work of its own which cannot wait. Its present duty is to save itself. Its future may be to save its neighbor, and vindicate the supremacy of republican institutions upon the American continent. I trust in Heaven it will. But for that future we can afford to wait, while we cannot now afford to throw down the gauntlet to any new foe.
With the highest respect and esteem, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States of America.