[Translation.]
Mr. Romero to Mr.
Seward
Washington,
March 9, 1866.
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,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c.,
&c.
[Page 99]
[Translation.—Extract.]
Paris,
February 19, 1866.
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,
