Mr. Seward to Mr. Motley
Sir: After preparing for the outgoing mail very full despatches concerning Mexican affairs, I have just now received your confidential despatch of March, 28, which informs me of the grave question that has arisen in the court of Vienna, concerning the effect of the Archduke Maximilian’s acceptance of a crown in Mexico upon his presumptive rights to succeed to the imperial royal throne of Austria.
While I thank you very earnestly for this important information, I do not think it necessary to comment upon it. The question thus raised will probably have been in some way adjusted before this despatch will reach its destination. The present policy of this government in regard to Mexico would remain the same whether the archduke renounces or retains his claim to the succession in Austria; and it does not seem probable here that the ultimate destiny of Mexico can be influenced by anything so merely individual and personal as the character or relations of the person who at this new turn of the political wheel of that state may be lifted up by one of its factions, aided by foreign power, to the seat of Montezuma.
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I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. Lothrop Motley, Esq., &c., Vienna.