[Translation.]

Mr. Romero to Mr. Seward

My Dear Sir: I have the honor to remit to you copy, so far as touches the matter, of a letter which I have received to-day from Paris, dated 19th of February last past, in which important advices are given to me respecting the policy which the French government proposes to follow in the affairs of Mexico. The person who writes the letter is worthy in all respects of confidence, and the sources from which his knowledge is derived are also authentic.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. ROMERO.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c .

[Page 99]

[Translation.—Extract.]

Esteemed Friend: Still in bed and without strength, I nevertheless take up the pen to communicate to you some information I have derived from a person connected with a high functionary of the empire. He assures me that at the last two conferences of the council of ministers it was resolved to try a middle course on the Mexican question, which gives those ministers disquiet who have been for the simple withdrawal of the army. It seems that this middle course consists in forming in Mexico a Franco-Mexican party, which is to hoist as a new standard the departure of Maximilian, and the re-establishment of the republic with Bazaine as president ad interim. Thus it is thought to tie the hands and stop the mouths of the United States. Absurd as this project may appear, there is no room to doubt fully of its existence. The news comes borne out by various antecedents—the invincible repugnance which Napoleon feels to withdraw his forces, without concealing that he was mistaken, that Bazaine is working for himself in Mexico, and the project being the theme of all the French employés and functionaries, who for some time have been informing Napoleon that the French army is looked on favorably by the Mexicans, and that what they dislike is the monarchy and the incompetency of Maximilian. So I have read for some time in the private letters from the Abbé——. I am assured that this was the idea that Barrés tried to inculcate in the interviews which he had with Napoleon; and of myself many times questions have been asked in this sense. By the last packet a chief of staff and an employe of the finance department have gone out, and perhaps they go to modify, in accordance with this idea, the instructions of Saillard, for the packet was even delayed to wait for them. * * *

It is stated that the minister of that republic here is condescending to this government even to weakness. He is flattered and praised incessantly with real recklessness. * * *

Your friend,

Señor M. Romero, Washington,