Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I give you a copy of three intercepted letters which have been submitted to this department: one letter, dated Mexico, 16th May, 1865, addressed by William M. Gwin (supposed to be junior) to his mother, followed by another letter on the same sheet, without date, in the handwriting of William M. Gwin, senior, well known to this department, addressed to his wife and daughter. The sheet referred to is directed to Mrs. William M. Gain, No. 55 Boulevard Malesherbes, Paris, and is enclosed in another envelope addressed to Messrs. Van den Broek & Company, Rue de la Chausse d’Antin, Paris. Another letter, also in the well-known handwriting of William M. Gain, dated Mexico, 18th May, 1865, is addressed to “My Dear Colonel.” It is contained in an open envelope and addressed to Colonel John Winthrop. That envelope is contained in another to Royal Phelps, esquire, No. 22 East Sixteenth street, New York, United States of America. A third letter, dated at Mexico on the 6th of May, 1865, addressed to honorable B. Wood, and signed Massey, enclosing a communication to the editor of the New York Daily News, dated at the city of Mexico, 19th of May, 1865, upon the subject of Mexican affairs.
1st. They show that Dr. William M. Gwin and his family are disloyal.
2d. That they are engaged in obtaining from Maximilian, titular emperor in Mexico, grants of mineral lands in the states of that republic adjoining the United States, and that Doctor Gwin is to be the chief directing agent in working these mines.
3d. That a large accession of capitalists and emigrants into those states from the rebels against the United States is expected.
4th. That they assure the said Maximilian and the Emperor of France that their contemplated proceedings tend to promote Maximilian’s success.
5th. That they regard their enterprise as injurious to the United States.
6th. That they claim to have the patronage of the Emperor of the French, with assurances of military aid.
I have to request that you submit a copy of this intercepted correspondence to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys. You will frankly inform him that the sympathies of the American people are already considerably excited in favor of the republic of Mexico, and that they are disposed to regard with impatience the continued [Page 519] intervention of France in that country. That any favor shown to the proceedings of Doctor Gwin by the titular Emperor of Mexico or by the imperial government of France, with reference to those agents, will tend greatly to increase the popular impatience, because it will be regarded, perhaps justly, as importing dangers to, or at least a menace against the United States.
It is proper also that Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys shall be informed that if we could believe that the statements thus made by these speculators are true, it would necessarily seem to the President that the Emperor of France was proceeding in his war against Mexico in a course materially differing from that of neutrality in regard to the political institutions of that country, of which he assured the United States when the war was begun. The President, on the contrary, confidently and sincerely expects, in some form, an assurance that all the pretences of Dr. Gwin and his associates are destitute of any sanction from the Emperor of France. I do not enlarge on this subject, because the French government need not be informed of the susceptibilities of the people of the United States in regard to Mexico. Nor can it be necessary to say, that after having expelled insurgents from our own borders, the United States government could not look with satisfaction upon their re-organization as martial or political enemies on the opposite banks of the Rio Grande.
I regret to be obliged to offer such frequent suggestions of prudence for the consideration of the Emperor’s government, but the course of events creates the necessity, and good faith prescribes the duty.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &., &c.
Note.—For intercepted letters see annexes to Mr. Romero’s letter of July8, 1865, to Mr. Seward.