Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
No. 145.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris, July 14, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose—
1st. A copy of the note by which his excellency the minister of foreign
affairs acknowledged the receipt of the President’s proclamation of the
23d of June last, terminating
the blockade; and
2d. A translation of an article in the official paper in reference to the
manner in which the withdrawal of belligerent rights from the
confederates had been received in the United States, coupled with some
remarks on the attitude of the United States towards France in Mexico.
This article marks an important change in the tone of the Moniteur, and
all the official press of the empire will feel the effect of it.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Enclosure No. 2.—Translation.]
We now know the impression produced in the United States by the
decision of the Emperor’s government to revoke the measures which
had been adopted in our ports at the beginning of the insurrection
of the south, in conformity with the ordinary rules of
neutrality.
The Washington cabinet does full justice to the sentiments of which
France has given proof in removing the restrictions upon the federal
navy which resulted from those rules, and in ceasing to recognize in
the confederate ships the character of belligerents. It has been
pleased to see that the imperial government has been guided by a
sincere desire to revive the ancient sympathies of the two peoples,
whose reciprocal interests as well as their traditions invite them
to cultivate the most cordial relations.
France, in her turn, finds nothing but what is praiseworthy in the
attitude of the United States. The federal government has not
hesitated to take the necessary measures to prevent the manœuvres of
the agents of Juarez.
President Johnson shows himself resolved to enforce the loyal
observance of the law relative to enrolments, and the instructions
given on this subject to the judicial authorities are being
executed.
So, as we said about two months ago, the Washington cabinet, a little
before the death of Mr. Lincoln, had declared that it ought in no
manner to create difficulties in the way of France in embarrassing
the establishment of a regular government in Mexico.
Under the new President the American cabinet has remained faithful to
these assurances, and its conduct, like its language, testify more
and more strongly to its intention not to depart from them.
