Mr. Harvey to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit with this despatch a translation of an address delivered by the so-called minister of Mexico, representing a person [Page 96] styling himself “Maximilian the first” and claiming to be the ruler of that country, on presenting his letters of credence in that capacity near this court, and the reply of his Most Faithful Majesty to the same, as a part of the current history of the times, and not because either the ceremonial or the occasion has the smallest importance in my estimation.
No instruction has ever been communicated to this legation as to the rule of conduct to be observed in the contingency which has now happened, but I shall not hesitate to decline all official intercourse with the person in question, as I did with his predecessor, who came here from Madrid during the past year to establish diplomatic relations with Portugal.
It may not be inappropriate to observe in this connection, that the diplomatic agents of the United States designated as “ministers resident,” are subjected to much annoyance, and our country is often exposed to no little injury in its material interests, by a classification which has no manner of significance with us where there is no established career, and which operates to our disadvantage abroad in permitting undue precedence to rulers whom we do not recognize at all, and to nations having no pretension to equality with the United States in consideration before the world.
The diplomatic body takes rank at all courts by distinction of title and by seniority. The priority thus established is far more important in its practical operation than may be supposed, as I bad frequent opportunity to test here during the unhappy period of our civil strife, when audiences and direct appeals to the sovereign in matters of large consequence had a serious and positive value. Every American minister who appreciates the trust which is confided to his keeping, and who respects his personal dignity, will find honor enough in whatever distinction his country may confer upon him, but he cannot be insensible to the fact that his influence and his usefulness, when they might be most advantageously exerted, are sometimes crippled by unnecessary technicalities, which compel him to accept an inferior position to that which his country is entitled to occupy on the one hand, or his own term of residence would naturally accord to him on the other, had his office been called by another name.
It may be stated by way of practical illustration, that the incumbent of this legation would to-day be the third in the regular order of ministers plenipotentiary had he been originally designated with that rank, whereas he must now give place to the spurious claim of an “envoy extraordinary,” representing nothing more in fact than an imposed military organization in a foreign country.
The inconveniences and the disadvantages of classifying ministers of the United States in distinctive grades, in the absence of a professional career and of regular advancement, are so transparent as hardly to require the least demonstration. Besides which, such distinctions are inconsistent with our institutions, and serve only to create embarrassments in countries where they have a special and intentional value. If our system is intended to conform to the European idea, then it should be made to assimilate with it in all material respects. If not, the ministers of the United States should stand upon such a footing as would enable them to protect the interests with which they are charged in the most efficient manner. In making these remarks, nothing more is intended than to suggest a mere change in the nomenclature of ministers, which, according to my experience and observation, is sufficiently important to deserve that attention.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.