Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I have before me your despatch of May 23, No. 98, and also your despatch of June 1, No. 111.
Each of these communications is accompanied by correspondence which has taken place between yourself and Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys upon the subject of the denial by the French government of customary naval courtesies to the United States, and upon the claim which was insisted upon by the United States, that the belligerent privileges heretofore accorded by France to the insurgents of this country should be withdrawn. In effect, the first of your communications announces that the imperial government has revoked its instructions in regard to the courtesies due to the fleet of the United States which were complained of. The second of your despatches brings the information that the French government has responded to our representations [Page 328] concerning the late belligerent privileges to the insurgents by withdrawing from them the belligerent character.
I have carefully considered the arguments employed in the correspondence between yourself and Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, which has happily resulted in these important and gratifying declarations of the French government. While I do not concur in the positions which Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys has assumed in his part of the correspondence, I do not think it necessary to reopen the past discussion. Happily, the frank and explicit manner in which the correspondence between the two governments has been conducted during the four years of the insurrection has left no necessity for either party to restate now the position which it held during that eventful period. Insisting, therefore, by way of extreme caution, that the grounds heretofore assumed by the United States remain, in their judgment, undisturbed by the arguments which have been brought against them, I am content to leave the questions referred to to stand as they have been duly recorded, as questions which, once practical, have now become in a great degree historical. I find no reason to dissent from the opinion which you have expressed to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, to the effect that the right of visitation and search on the part of the United States would cease immediately after a withdrawal of the imperial declaration by which the insurgents were recognized as a belligerent.
These preliminaries being thus disposed of, I am authorized by the President to accept, on behalf of the United States, the declaration of the French govern ment, and to respond with sincerity and frankness to the desire which the imperial government has so generously expressed, that the now restored relations of the two government may be wisely improved, so as to revive the old sympathies of the two nations, whose interests and traditions constantly invite them to cultivate the most cordial friendship.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.