Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress, Part III
Señor Romero to Mr. Seward
My Dear Sir: I have the honor to enclose you an extract from the New York World of yesterday, containing the letter on Mexico to which I alluded in my interview with you this morning.
Although the letter is dated in the city of Mexico, there is no doubt it was written in New York by agents of the usurper Maximilian, for the reason that it is dated the 20th of July, and the last Mexican dates received in New York only come up to the 10th of July, and because it contains facts that could not be known by a mere newspaper correspondent in Mexico, and only by persons who have the usurper’s confidence and possess his secrets. As a proof of this, is the mention of the return of the German priest, Fischer, to Mexico. It is not long since he was in this city, on his return from Rome, where he went in the usurper’s name, as you know, to conclude a concordat with the Pope.
I mention this to show that the writer of the letter is well acquainted with the usurper’s plans and secrets, and therefore some regard is to be had for what he says about the relations of the Emperor of the French with his Mexican agent, about the Emperor’s indisposal to withdraw his forces from that republic, and about the object of his wife’s visit to Europe.
As a general rule I do not attach more importance to newspaper articles than you do, particularly when no details are given: but the particular circumstances of this case induce me to call your attention to it this morning, for which reason I enclose the extract to you.
Your very respectful and obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Taken from the New York World, August 8, 1866.]
Objects of Carlotta’s visit to Europe.—The departure of the empress Carlotta for Europe, although at first it created considerable excitement in Mexico, has gradually come to assume its proper place in its true light, which is an effort on the part of Maximilian to come to a definite understanding with Napoleon as to his Mexican relations. In fact, the policy of the French Emperor has been anything but satisfactory of late. Napoleon seems to delight in ambiguous and mysterious complications, which, however they may act upon the outside world, are not particularly edifying to those whose destinies hang somewhat on his dictum. Maximilian, as I have repeatedly said in my letters, is quite willing that the French troops shall leave, but he must know when their removal is to be effected. Plans of the most contradictory kind, it would seem, are continually being adopted at the Tuileries. Official information arrives by one packet that a definite contract has been effected with the French [Page 219] Transatlantic Steamship Company for the transportation next fall of the whole French army of occupation. But, in the face of this, additional troops are constantly arriving. Immediately after the rather urgent correspondence which took place last winter between Seward and Drouyn de Lhuys, the work of concentration was commenced. Most of the imperial troops, which the winter before had been marched with such expense and trouble into northern Mexico, were withdrawn from Sonora and Chihuahua into the table-lands of Anahuac, ostensibly with the object of concentrating them around Mexico for a more easy embarcation at Vera Cruz. The ports of Acapulco, Guaymas, and Mazatlan were consequently left meagrely guarded by Franco-Mexican garrisons, and all the adjacent interior towns were abandoned. The predictions then made by the able General Garnier, who commanded the imperial troops in that direction, have been more than verified. Mazatlan and Guaymas are both isolated from the interior; Tepic is threatened, and the work of two years abandoned.
Napoleon’s Mexican policy.—It appears now, however, that this policy, although showing on its surface the appearance of a retreat, had deeper foundations. Napoleon, upon examining the situation in Mexico, became convinced that his true course was to keep two things constantly in view: first to gain time, and by an appearance of removing his troops, await some favorable turn of events in the United States which would distract attention from Mexico for more pressing affairs at home; and secondly, that no number of troops that the French nation would long submit to his maintaining in Mexico could possibly occupy so immense a space of territory, and that concentration would not only look like the preliminary steps towards evacuation, but would enable him to act more effectively where his troops are needed.
Mexican wealth and population.—Now an examination of the map of Mexico shows that a vast majority of the population and wealth of Mexico is contained in the central States, in the heart of which their capital is situated. The cities and large towns, with a very few exceptions, are found along the elevated table-lands or plateaux of the Mexican cordillera, known as the plains of Anahuac. Probably six out of the eight millions of the Mexican people inhabit these regions, famous alike for their salubrity and productiveness. It is therefore the possession of these districts that constitutes an actual domination in Mexico. Marshal Bazaine forcibly demonstrated these facts to the French government three years ago, but the idea then was to get possession of the rich gold and silver mines of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora, and, by encouraging southern immigration, make them eventually pay the expense of the intervention.
Concentration of the French army.—This policy has been abandoned, and the less expensive but more reasonable one of occupying a smaller but more valuable space adopted. The withdrawal, therefore, of the French and Austrian troops into Central Mexico, while it will by no means permanently endanger the seaports of the Pacific coast, will lessen the expense, as well as consolidate the power of the imperial government. Thus, after a rather vacillating policy caused by the contradictory reports from Mexico, this course has been decided upon. The troops have been concentrated within a few days’ call of each other, and, to all appearances, with a view to their speedy embarcation next fall; and yet, in my opinion, nothing is further from the intentions of the Emperor than an abandonment of his Mexican enterprise; and that the emperor Maximilian has the same idea is evident from his every act, for the “Sphinx of the Tuileries” appears to have preserved an imperturbable reserve with Maximilian, as well as with the rest of the world, as to his ultimate views in Mexico.
Will the troops be removed?—It is precisely at this point that the situation becomes complicated and inexplicable. Napoleon promises, in an ambiguous manner, to withdraw his troops; but at the same time they are concentrated so as to present a more formidable front than ever. It is officially announced that the embarcation will speedily take place; but every steamer from France brings additional full regiments to take the place of the scattering detachments returning to France by expiration of term of service. Mail steamers and war steamers are announced to be en route for Mexico to bring away the entire army; but as “foreign legions” arrive to take service with Maximilian, both from France and Germany, the available forces of the active young emperor are continually augmenting; for an indefinite number of immigrants with the above title may enter the country, and the United States cannot even expostulate or get up any virtuous indignation. During the war of the rebellion the American government swelled its ranks by tens of thousands by foreign immigrants, and no government presumed to question its perfect right so to do.
Maximilian demands an explanation.—How. then, are we to reconcile these facts with the popular idea that Maximilian is to be abandoned by his European friends? Maximilian is in the dark as to Napoleon’s intentions, if one may judge from appearances. Indeed, it is not certain that the French Emperor himself has any definite plan of action, beyond a general fixed idea of clinging to his Mexican enterprise with his characteristic tenacity of purpose. Carlotta’s visit to Europe, as I have said above, is for the purpose of having an eclaircissement of these knotty questions. Verbal explanations are always preferable to written ones, which as often complicate as unravel political entanglements. The empress, who is one of the most accomplished ladies of Europe, having been brought up under the eye of the Nestor of kings, will solve the riddle concealed within the brain of Napoleon, if human ingenuity can accomplish it. As it stands now the question is “very mixed,” to use a newly coined phrase, but of one thing your readers may rest assured, and that is, whether [Page 220] Napoleon deserts or continues to sustain the Mexican empire, Maximilian will remain here and be supported by the Mexican people. What he wants is to know, beyond peradventure, his standing with France. He will not occupy the position of a puppet in the hands of Napoleon. The Mexican affair may be a very prolific one for the French Emperor to manage, as political circumstances may suggest, for his own glory, but Maximilian has much loftier views than mere personal considerations. Whatever he undertakes he never abandons. Difficulties only nerve him to greater exertions. To leave Mexico is the last idea to enter into his calculations for the future.
Affairs at Tampico.—In my last I pictured the condition of affairs by the latest accounts at Tampico, which, owing to an ill-judged security on the part of the imperial government, had been left to be defended by its citizens against the liberals, who had cut off its supplies from the interior. The long expected aid has arrived, and the city, which I observe by American newspapers was about to fall into the hands of its assailants, has been relieved. The inhabitants, who had stood quite a long siege, sallied out, and, joining the relieving forces, drove the liberals into the mountains, capturing a large number and wounding and killing many. Tampico may now be considered as safe. There have been several smart actions lately, in which the imperialists were victorious, as they generally are when the numbers are anything like equal.
Matamoras and its capture.—It cannot be denied by the government that the fall of Matamoras has produced a profound effect on all sides; not that the possession or loss of such a town in itself could be of such surpassing importance, but because its loss involves serious consequences, which call for an energetic movement by the government for its recovery. To possess Matamoras places the whole line of the Rio Grande indisputably in the hands of the enemy, and gives them a point from which to operate with more security with disaffected persons who have located in Texas. The Ere Nouvelle, an influential French paper published here, says that the blow is the more severe from its being unexpected. “It was supposed,” says this journal, “that the campaign commenced by General Jeanningros, the double defeat sustained by Cortinas at the hands of Olivera, the increasing discord in the Juarist camp, and, finally, the proximity of the French troops in Nuevo Leon and at Saltillo, were sufficient guarantees, if not for a complete pacification, at least against any immediate danger of a disaster.”
Bazaine en route to recapture it.—This, however, is the only disaster the imperial troops have sustained on this side of the continent, and it will soon be remedied. Marshal Bazaine has reached San Luis Potosi, and will soon have effected a junction with the Franco-Mexican forces at Monterey and Saltillo, whence a regular movement will be made upon Matamoras for its recapture. In fact, I can state with certainty that this policy has been decided upon, and it cannot be long before you will hear music from that vicinity. Matamoras has been continually in a ferment since the French occupation, passing from hand to hand, and acquainted with sieges, battles, and assaults. It is of the first importance that such an important defeat should be recovered. In fact, the situation demands it.
The imperial cabinet.—It is not yet decided who is to take the place of Senor Castillo, the minister of foreign relations, who has accompanied the empress to Europe. He is a young man of first-class attainments, cautious and reliable beyond most of the talented characters who have gathered around the emperor. His health has lately suffered much by over application to the duties of two departments, those of foreign affairs and finance. The emperor seems to be gradually ridding himself of his native Mexican advisers. Ramirez, who has always been a sort of marplot to the success of Maximilian, was particularly courted as a representative of the liberal party, and his nominal adhesion to the empire was considered as a great point gained. He was appointed minister of state, and figured quite largely at state balls and cabinet councils; but, like most Mexicans, was far behind the times, and lacked the nerve to face the critical issues of the country. Maximilian decorated and dismissed him, and, as fast as circumstances will permit, will rid himself of the others in the same way. Lacunza and Castillo are both of Spanish blood, but were educated and brought up abroad, and have thus been purged of their inherent opposition to progressive ideas. Eloin, his chief of cabinet, is now in Europe. His council of state is necessarily Mexican, but they do little more than wrangle over the questions submitted to them, and in all important issues the emperor listens to the opinions of all, and then adopts his own.
Settlement of the church imbroglio.—The question of the church has been finally settled at Rome by the emperor’s special envoy, “Padre” Fischer, a distinguished German prelate, who is now believed to be en route to Mexico. This has been the most difficult matter to arrange of all the delicate issues in this Mexican complication; but, as in all cases of the kind, Maximilian has boldly faced it, and succeeded in satisfying all parties. He is a good Catholic prince, and so recognized by the Pope, who now clings to every vestige of his temporal authority with redoubled tenacity, and has never had the slightest idea of excommunicating such a staunch supporter of the real interests of the church, although at one time it was rumored that he had been put outside the “awful circle,” owing to his bold measures regarding the church and liberal imbroglio in this country.
Affairs at the capital.—While Louis Napoleon is watching the political horizon, and placing himself in a, position to trim his sails to suit the Monroe-doctrine gale from the United States, [Page 221] Maximilian is making his arrangements for a life-lease in Mexico with the utmost unconcern as to any outside movements. He has bought the old palace of Cortes at Cuernavaca, and will repair it for his future country residence. He is making important changes in the imperial palace in this city; he is improving the capital in a hundred different ways; building railroads, and opening roads into the interior; planting avenues of trees; publishing codes of laws; establishing steamship and telegraph lines, (and, by the way, regularly paying the subsidies granted to them;) raising and equipping an efficient native Mexican army; collecting a revenue under Langlais’s new system; visiting benevolent institutions; endowing colleges, and arranging for affairs twenty years in advance, as if the country were in profound peace. This certainly does not look much like verifying the New York Herald’s periodical paroxysm of “packing his baggage” for a flight within thirty days from Mexico, which for two years has been predicted with such stereotyped certainty that each leader in that valuable journal on Mexican affairs is only a repetition of the last. If a liberal use of ink could induce Maximilian to quit Mexico, he ought to have fled from its shores many months ago; but here he still remains, as secure in his imperial position as ever, and it might be well for the several caudillos who are wrangling at Washington as to which shall succeed him, to remember the old cooking recipe about first catching your fish. &c., &c.