Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Dear Sir: The Moniteur of the 21st instant announces that a military convention was signed at Vienna on the 15th between the Austrian government and the representative of Maximilian—supplementary to a convention of the same nature which had been previously concluded between the same parties. The purpose of this engagement, says the Moniteur, is to insure the enrolments necessary to keep full the Austrian corps in Mexico.
In another journal, which I regret that at this moment I am unable to lay my hand upon, I have seen it stated that a line of steamers is to be started from Trieste to Vera Cruz, to ply regularly, from the 1st of April next. The Constitutionnel of the 21st contains also the following paragraph:
“We learn from the Freudenblatt, of Vienna, that the enlistments for Mexico will begin immediately; that the funds had been received from Paris two months since. In general,” adds the Vienna journal, “our volunteers in Mexico seem to have made very fair savings, as Colonel Leiser has himself received more than 300,000 francs, to be sent to their friends in Austria. This proves that their [Page 827] wages are paid regularly, and that prices are not as high in Mexico as has been represented.”
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The Paris correspondent of the London Post stated a few days since that Hidalgo, who is expected here in a few days, would bring the convention, signed by Maximilian, providing for the withdrawal of the French troops from Mexico. The paragraph was generally copied, but finally received a qualified contradiction in two or three of the officious journals, which stated that what Hidalgo would bring could not be known till he came, and that when he left, Mr. Salliard had not had time to communicate with Maximilian, &c.
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I presume the consul at Trieste and Mr. Motley will inform you of the objects had in view in the establishment of a line of steamers from Trieste to Vera Cruz. They certainly can hardly be of a commercial character.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.