Mr. Romero presents his compliments to Mr. Seward, and has the honor
to transmit to him a copy, in English, of a letter which he has
received from the city of Mexico, dated the 8th of the month
terminating this day, in which some truthful details are given of
the efforts of the usurper of Mexico to obtain the recognition of
the government of the United States.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
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Up to a very recent period official circles here had been under
the impression that President Johnson and Mr. Seward were great
admirers of Maximilian, personally, and would be willing, at a
proper time, to recognize him as the government of Mexico, but
that they would prefer that some overtures should be first made
to them, and that the affair should not be in any way pressed
upon them as to time. Such has been for a long period the
prevailing opinion with reference to the action of the United
States government. This impression, it is said, has been largely
supported by, if not mainly based upon, assurances which, it is
asserted, have been communicated by Mr. Corwin, late minister
here, in his correspondence from Washington, with Mr. Ramirez,
Maximilian’s secretary of state, and even with General Bazaine.
Before Mr. Corwin left for home, he expressed himself in a way
that led to the inference that he was disgusted with republics
generally, and his relations with Mr. Ramirez and with General
Bazaine, of whom he was a great admirer, were such as to be
almost confidential in their character.
[Page 486]
Since then Mr. Corwin has been considered here as the best friend
of the empire in the United States, and great expectations have
been based upon his supposed influence with the Washington
government. That he has been lending his good offices and
services to promote its recognition is unquestionably a
fact.
Last winter he sought an interview from Mr. Seward in favor of
Don Luis Arroyo, to obtain his recognition by our government as
imperial consul in New York. In this attempt, however, he
utterly failed. Mr. Corwin, it seems, recovered from that blow,
and lately wrote a little more encouragingly to his friends. The
news he sent was received with the greatest rejoicings at the
palace. As the, French, as well as Maximilian and everybody else
here, well understand that the empire only exists by the
toleration of the United States, they thought at once of sending
to Washington one of the highest officials, to pave the way for
recognition, and, in justice to Maximilian, it must be
acknowledged that he devised a very nice little intrigue. The
grand marshal of the empire, General Almonte, was to be sent to
Washington as ambassador extraordinary in special mission. He
was to take among his suite Chamberlain Degollado, as attaché to
the embassy. The general would carry with him an autograph
letter of condolence from Maximilian to President Johnson upon
the assassination of President Lincoln, and congratulating Mr.
Johnson upon his elevation to the presidential chair. It was
thought that Mr. Johnson could not be so rude as to decline
receiving and answering such a letter, and giving a fair hearing
to the grand marshal. Mr. Ramirez, the minister of foreign
affairs, however, spoiled this little intrigue, either because
he did not place entire confidence in the information he had
received, or for other reasons. The fact is, he was unwilling
to]et the grand marshal go, for fear that he and his sovereign
would be exposed to a grievous slight. He advised that the
letter should be written and sent, but that it should be carried
by Chamberlain Degollado, who would leave for the United States
as if on private business. This plan was finally adopted. The
French papers here denied it was ever thought to send General
Almonte, and that Degollado left on private business alone.
Degollado being married to a Virginia wife, was thought to be
the person best fitted to go without attracting much attention,
and to interest in his favor the United States government.
Unfortunately for Maximilian, Degollado’s wife has not and never
had Union sentiments, and will not carry, therefore, much
weight. Degollado was instructed to ask an interview from Mr.
Seward or the President to deliver Maximilian’s letter, through
the French minister, M. Montholon, it being believed that there
is nothing that our government could refuse when asked by such a
source. You will be able to know better than we here what will
be the result of this intrigue. Nobody believes here that it
will succeed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
