Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Sir: Your note of the 23d ultimo, on the subject of the exportation of arms to, and the negotiation of a loan for, the Mexican republic, was duly received, and has been taken into consideration.
[Page 641]You are well aware that the government of the United States has official relations with the republican government in Mexico only, and heartily desires that that form of government may, by the unity, virtue, valor, and perseverance of the people in Mexico, be maintained in that country, as the United States earnestly desire that, in the same manner, it may be perpetuated in every other country in the American hemisphere where it has heretofore been established. Liberty and free institutions in any country are the rewards of the popular virtues I have named. They cannot be guaranteed by any one nation, however beneficent, to another, however well disposed to receive them.
I am not aware of any law or executive order which at present prohibits the exportation of arms, or of money, from the United States to Mexico, by either of the parties at war in that country, or by the individual citizens or subjects of the respective parties. Any proceedings for that purpose must, however, not be connected with proceedings which tend to infringe the impartial neutrality which this government has hitherto in every instance maintained. That neutrality is really the effect of existing municipal laws as well as of international law. It could, therefore, be deviated from by the executive government only when Congress should have directed it. To Congress alone belongs the constitutional power to declare war.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurances of my very distinguished consideration.
Señor Matias Romero, &c., &c., &c., New York, N. Y.