Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: I received the following telegram yesterday from our consul general at Alexandria: “Le gouvernement dit insurrection supprimé expedition pourra se [Page 426] faire.” I interpreted it to mean that the rebellion in the Soudan, referred to by his excellency Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys in our conversation referred to in my despatch No. 186, bad been suppressed, and that the project of sending Egyptian troops to Mexico, suspended by the insurrection, was liable to be resumed.
In the course of an interview with Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys in the afternoon I showed him the telegram, and gave him my interpretation of it. His excellency promptly said that no change in the attitude of the imperial government on that subject had occurred since our conversation, nor was likely to; that it had signified no desire to have the troops, nor did he think it was longer in the contemplation of the Emperor to avail himself of aid from that quarter; and that, of course, the Pacha would not send troops without a new application. He closed by the more positive form of expression, that he knew the Emperor had no intention of renewing his application. I expressed my gratification at receiving from him such a satisfactory assurance.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State.