Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: On my resumption of the conduct of this department, after a journey to Auburn, I find your despatch of the 13th of June, No. 117; and I find, also, that it was duly acknowledged by Mr. Hunter, then Acting Secretary of State, in despatch No. 184. So far as it relates to the misapprehension made by Mr. Rouher of your conversation with him in regard to the withdrawal of belligerent rights, there seems to be no reason for special remark. But so far as relates to the condition of affairs in Mexico, I think it important to notice the following passage in your despatch: “What I stated that may have given the impression which has misled the minister of state was this, in brief—that now that the experiment had been begun, the Americans wished it to be fully tried, under circumstances best calculated to determine finally and forever whether European systems of government suited the Mexican people best. If it should appear that they did, and public tranquillity was restored, no nation was more [Page 399] interested in such a result than her immediate neighbors. I added that the success of republican institutions in the Spanish American states had thus far not been such as to encourage us to attempt the propagation of them there, otherwise than by our example, and that whatever government was acceptable to the Mexican people would be satisfactory to us.”
It is thought that the argument which you have recited in the passage thus extracted is not warranted by the instructions of this department. It will be well, at your convenience, to make this explanation to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys. So far as our relations are concerned, what we hold in regard to Mexico is, that France is a belligerent there, in war with the republic of Mexico. We do not enter into the merits of the belligerents, but we practice in regard to the contest the principles of neutrality; and we have insisted on the practice of neutrality by all nations in regard to our civil war. Our friendship towards the republic of Mexico, and our sympathies with the republican system on this continent, as well as our faith and confidence in it, have been continually declared. We do not intervene in foreign wars or foreign politics. Political intervention in the affairs of foreign states is a principle thus far avoided by our government. I attach no great importance to this matter. It is right and proper, however, that the French government should not misunderstand the case, and so be suffered to fall into a belief that we have entertained any views favorable to it as an invader of Mexico, or that we at all distrust the ultimate success of republican systems throughout this continent.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.