Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have received the copy of the report addressed to Major General Banks by Major General Canby, which you did me the honor to send me the day before yesterday, and thank you for the communication.
It appears to me, from reading this document and accompanying papers, that, while recognizing and understanding from the outset what duties neutrality imposed on them, the military authorities of the Gulf have not, however, entirely resisted the application made by refugee Mexicans to be admitted into the army of the United States. It might even be inferred from the report of Colonel Day and Major George B. Drake, dated September 14, that the first idea of this enlistment came from him, and that it had been suggested to them by his orders. On his part, Major General Canby, thinking to remove all inconvenience by bringing to New Orleans these refugees, who are held under arms, has only succeeded in opening the way for greater difficulty.
New Orleans is (your excellency is not ignorant of the fact) the place where are prepared, and from which depart, clandestine expeditions bound for Mexico, which the United States government has been obliged to arrest not long since; no place could, therefore, be more ill chosen to keep together a body of Mexicans transformed into United States soldiers. The succor the federal government will derive from such recruits is, to my mind, problematical; the embarrassments they may occasion are much more plain.
I doubt not your excellency may be struck with these remarks, which the government of the Emperor has offered on its part to the envoy of the United States at Paris, and I am gratified to hope that you will advise the adoption, by the military commander in the Gulf, of measures which can give no room for any objection.
Accept, sir, the assurance of my high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c.