Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: Your despatch of the 8th of November, No. 384, in regard to Mexico, is received.
Your proceedings in your interview with M. Moustier, and also your proceedings in your interview with the Emperor, are entirely approved. Say to M. Moustier that this government is surprised and affected with deep concern by the announcement, now made for the first time, that the promised recall of one detachment of the French troops from Mexico in November current has been postponed by the Emperor. The embarrassment thus produced is immeasurably increased by the circumstance that this proceeding of the Emperor has been taken without conference with, and even without notice to, the United States. This, government has not in any way afforded re-enforcements to the Mexicans, as the Emperor seems to assume, and it has known nothing at all of his countermanding instructions to Marshal Bazaine, of which the Emperor speaks. We consult only official communications to ascertain the purposes and resolutions of France, as we make our own purposes and resolutions known only in the same manner where she is concerned.
I am not prepared to say, and it is now unnecessary to discuss, whether the President could or could not have agreed to the Emperor’s proposed delay if he had been seasonably consulted, and if the proposition had been then put, as the proceeding is now, upon the ground of military considerations alone, and if it had been marked with the customary manifestation of regard to the interests and feelings of the United States. But the Emperor’s decision to modify the existing arrangement without any understanding with the United States, so as to leave the whole French army in Mexico for the present instead of withdrawing one detachment in November current, as promised, is now found in every way inconvenient and exceptionable. We cannot acquiesce—
First. Because the term “next spring,” as appointed for the entire evacuation, is indefinite and vague.
Second. Because we have no authority for stating to Congress and to the American people that we have now a better guarantee for the withdrawal of the whole expeditionary force in the spring than we have heretofore had for the withdrawal of a part in November.
[Page 367]Third. In full reliance upon at least a literal performance of the Emperor’s existing agreement, we have taken measures, while facilitating the anticipated French evacuation, to co-operate with the republican government of Mexico for promoting the pacification of that country and for the early and complete restoration of the proper constitutional authority of that government. As a part of those measures, Mr. Campbell, our newly-appointed minister, attended by Lieutenant General Sherman, has been sent to Mexico in order to confer with President Juarez on subjects which are deeply interesting to the United States and of vital importance to Mexico.
Our policy and measures thus adopted in full reliance upon the anticipated beginning of the evacuation of Mexico were promptly made known to the French legation here, and doubtless you have already executed your instruetions by making them known to the Emperor’s government in Paris.
The Emperor will perceive that we cannot now recall Mr. Campbell, nor can we modify the instructions under which he is expected to treat, and under which he may even now be treating with the republican government of Mexico.
That government will, of course, most earnestly desire and confidently expect an early and entire discontinuation of foreign hostile occupation. You will, therefore, state to the Emperor’s government that the President sincerely hopes and expects that the evacuation of Mexico will be carried into effect with such conformity to the existing agreement as the inopportune complication which calls for this despatch shall a flow. Mr. Campbell will be advised of that complication. Instructions will be issued to the United States military forces of observation, to await in every case special directions from the President. This will be done with a confident expectation that the telegraph or mail may seasonably bring us a satisfactory resolution from the Emperor in reply to this note. You will assure the French government that the United States, while they seek the relief of Mexico, desire nothing more earnestly than to preserve peace and friendship with France. Nor does the President allow himself to doubt that what has been determined in France, most inauspiciously, as we think, has been decided upon inadvertently, without full reflection upon the embarrassment it must produce here, and without any design to retain the French expeditionary forces in Mexico beyond the full period of eighteen months, originally stipulated for the complete evacuation.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.