Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
A friend of Mr. Romero writes to him from New York, under date of
22d November last past, informing him that from conversations he
has had with an ex-general of the army of the United States, and
an ex-governor and ex-senator of one of the States of the Union,
he was convinced that there were serious intrigues on the part
of many northern men, disgusted with the result of the late
presidential election, in connexion with a considerable number
of prominent men at the south, that in case—which is now
considered probable—the south should have to yield to the armies
of the north, they would go to Mexico and operate in the
development of the mines and extension of agriculture, with the
purpose, in the first place, of sustaining Maximilian, and for
the purpose of occupying themselves afterwards in that
country.
The number of persons dissatisfied at the north is large enough,
and that of those who are disposed to venture on such an
enterprise is altogether greater at the south, in the opinion of
the person who communicates this information—being sufficient to
give a great re-enforcement to Maximilian. This aid on the part
of the south might assume the character of an armed immigration,
which could take place before the forces of the United States
could shut the door against them by taking the line of the Rio
Grande.
The ex-general said, in the conversation referred to, that M.
Montholon, French minister to Mexico, was working to this
purpose, and that a full brigade would soon set off, as private
individuals, from the Atlantic States for Vera Cruz, and others
from California for the Pacific coast.
The ex-governor and ex-senator said that the French minister in
Mexico had already concluded negotiations in respect of Sonora
and Lower California.
These assertions agree entirely with the news received from
Mexico by the last steamer from the Havana.
“The Estafette,” which is the organ of the French policy in
Mexico, has frequently made allusions to the convenience that
Maximilian will cultivate the best understanding with the
confederate authorities on the frontier, and to favor, in all
modes, the immigration of citizens who have risen against this
government.
A letter from Mexico, published by the “Courrier des Etats Unis,”
a French imperialist paper printed in New York, and which it is
believed was written by M. Masseras, proprietor of that paper,
who actually is in the city of Mexico, paves the way to prevent
public opinion from being alarmed on learning that Maximilian
thinks of aliening, or has aliened, a portion of the Mexican
territory. The said letter appears to restrict itself to the
Mexican financial question, and says that the budget of the
so-called empire approaches forty millions of dollars, and the
portions of Mexican revenue which are in the hands of the French
are reckoned at four millions. To cover this deficit, says the
letter, there is no other choice but to sell or mortgage the
public domain. Various letters from Mexico, received in New York
by different persons who are in communication with partisans of
Maximilian, aver unanimously that he only exercises a nominal
power, but that the real authority rests only in General
Bazaine, who acts under instructions which he receives directly
from the Emperor of the French, and of which even the Minister
Montholon has no knowledge.
Washington, December 3,
1864.
