The Minister of France in Mexico to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Minister: I am in receipt of the despatches your excellency has done me the honor to address to me, dated 14th and 15th January.
I am going to state positively that the well-settled purpose of the Emperor is that the evacuation commence towards the coming autumn; and that I am at the disposal of the emperor Maximilian to settle this point formally, in conformity with he instructions I have received, but that, meantime, Marshal Bazaine is taking measures to guarantee, as far as possible, all the interests involved.
Your excellency already knows the intentions of the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary corps. The evacuation, commenced in November next, will be finished in the autumn of 1867; that is to say, will be entirely accomplished in eighteen months.
Accept, &c., &c.