Mr. Seward to Mr. Motley.
Sir:After preparing for the outgoing mail very full despatches concerning Mexican affairs, I have just now received your confidential despatch of March 28, which informs me of the grave question that has arisen in the court of Vienna, concerning the effect of the Archduke Maximilian’s acceptance of a crown in Mexico upon his presumptive rights to succeed to the imperial royal throne of Austria.
While I thank you very earnestly for this important information, I do not think it necessary to comment upon it. The question thus raised will probably have been in some way adjusted before this despatch will reach its destination. The present policy of this government in regard to Mexico would remain the same whether the archduke renounces or retains his claim to the succession in Austria; and it does not seem probable here that the ultimate destiny of Mexico can be influenced by anything so merely individual and personal as the character or relations of the person who at this new turn of the political wheel of that state may be lifted up by one of its factions, aided by foreign power, to the seat of Montezuma.
Nothing important has occurred here in regard to the position of the war. There are raids, which merely indicate preparations for general operations. A recent raid of the insurgents upon Fort Pillow, as is said, has been marked by atrocities which cannot be contemplated without a shudder. These barbarities assume very grave significance, as showing that the Africo-American troops are to be denied by the insurgents when victorious the privilege of quarter. So it seems to be established that slavery claims its independence of civilization to the very last, even while appealing to Christian nations for sympathy and aid.
I may say to you very confidentially that it is expected that a general movement of the Union forces east of the Mississippi will begin before I shall have an opportunity to write to you again.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Lothrop Motley, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Vienna.