The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the French Minister in Washington.
Monsieur le Marquis: I have received the despatch in which you relate me the conversation which you had with Mr. Seward in reference to the appointment of General Logan as minister of the United States to the Mexican republic, and the explanations which the Secretary of State thought necessary tu give you concerning that measure in order to attenuate its disagreeable impression. We could not conceal our regret at the determination taken by the federal government, and the opinions publicly expressed by General Logan on our expedition to Mexico make it appear to us still more inopportune. The Emperor’s government, in extending to Mexico the protection expected from him by all his subjects, has only pursued the fulfilment of an imperative duty; he ought to secure for the French subjects both legitimate reparations for the past and guarantees for the future. When this work is accomplished, his action will be withdrawn, for no second thought of conquest or domination will retain our arms beyond the ocean. It would then be painful to see, in the moment we look for the means of hastening the end of our expedition, some misunderstanding, endangering our traditional relations with the United States, and that from a situation essentially transitory there might grow a serious risk for the permanent interests which unite the two countries.
Receive; &c.,