Mr. Seward to Mr. Koerner
Sir: * * * * * * *
This government, seriously preoccupied with domestic affairs, has deemed it prudent and just, and has found it possible thus far, to hold itself, as well as the whole American people, absolutely neutral in two wars which are waged by European states in portions of America. I refer to the war of France against Mexico, and to the civil war to which Spain is a party in the island of St. Domingo. This government has been able to practice this neutrality and enforce its observance upon American citizens, because all the maritime powers of Europe, while they have constantly assured the United States of their purpose to maintain neutrality in our own unhappy civil war, have also disclaimed designs of political conquest in America. Several of the South American republican states, however, naturally sympathizing, as they must, with the republic of Mexico, and with the revolutionists of Spanish St. Domingo, allege, on the contrary, that several of the European states, which once had colonies here, are now seeking to reduce them again to the condition of dependencies. These apprehensions are not unlikely to be entertained by the whole people of the United States. The proceedings of Spain in Peru give them color, which is deeply to be regretted. Indeed, a general discontent with the forbearance of the government is already manifest. Should the sentiment of this country demand a reconsideration of the policy of neutrality which the government has hitherto maintained, it is very much to be feared that new complications might arise, [Page 783] which would not merely disturb the existing systems of commerce, but might endanger the general peace of nations. I need not enlarge upon the subject I have thus presented.
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I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Gustavus Koerner, Esq., &c., Madrid.