Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress
Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a translation published in Galignani to-day of the report made in person by the Marquis de Moustier to the Senate yesterday, of the proceedings and the result of the London conference on the Luxembourg question.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
The Senate held a sitting yesterday by special convocation to receive a communication from the government. M. Troplong, who filled the chair, gave directions to have the minister of foreign affairs introduced.
The Marquis de Moustier then appeared, and ascending the tribune, said:
“Gentlemen: The conference of London has terminated its labors. The plenipotentiaries, assembled on the 7th of this month, signed on the 11th the treaty which determines in a definitive manner the international situation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The French government had been for a long time preocupied with the state of indecision in which a question so important to the security of our frontiers remained. Whether that security should be assured by a union of the Grand Duchy to France or by any other combination, the capital point for us was that Prussia, in the new situation created for her by the late European changes, should not preserve, beyond her own limits and contrary to all international right, a military establishment which constituted an eminently offensive position in regard to ourselves.
“We were authorized to hope that our friendly relations with the cabinet of Berlin would prepare a favorable solution, for our intention has always been to respect the just susceptibilities of Prussia, and to admit in a question which had in our eyes a European character a frank examination of treaties and of the interest of the great powers.
“We hastened to express ourselves in that sense, and to remove by that declaration all ground of conflict.
“The powers opened amongst themselves the preparatory negotiations, in which we declined to intervene, with a just feeling of reserve and moderation. To all the questions that were addressed to us, we replied that we would accept any solution compatible with our security and dignity that the cabinets might recommend for our adoption as likely to con solidate the peace of Europe.
“We cannot proclaim too loudly how marked a spirit of impartiality and how great á desire to attain a practicable and honorable arrangement were manifested by the powers in the task which they had proposed to themselves.
“After the exchange of ratifications, the government will publish the text of the treaty which has been signed, but is enabled even now to indicate the principal provisions.
“The preamble of this diplomatic act sets forth that the King of Holland, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, taking into consideration the change brought about in the situation of the Grand Duchy, in consequence of the dissolution of the ties which attached it to the old Germanic confederation, had invited the Emperor of Austria, the King of the Belgians, the Emperor of the French, the Queen of Great Britain, the King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Russia to give directions to their representatives to hold a conference in London, so as to come to an understanding with the plenipotentiaries of the King Grand Duke on the new arrangements to be adopted in the general interests of peace.
“The sovereigns accepted the invitation and resolved by common accord to accede to the desire manifested by the King of Italy to take part m a deliberation destined to offer a new pledge of security for the maintenance of general tranquillity.
“The Grand Duke declared that he maintained the ties which connected the Grand Duchy with the house of Orange-Nassau, and that declaration was accepted, and due note taken of the same. The Grand Duchy has been declared a neutral state, and its neutrality has been placed under the sanction of the collective guarantee of the powers signing, with the exception of Belgium, which is itself a country in that position.
“It was agreed besides that the town of Luxembourg should cease to be a fortified place, and that the King Grand Duke should reserve to himself the duty of maintaining there the number of troops necessary to watch over the preservation of public order.
“The King of Prussia declared in consequence that his troops now in garrison in the fortress should receive orders to proceed to the evacuation of the place immediately after the exchange of the ratifications. The measure will be commenced by the simultaneous removal of the artillery and munitions, and during that operation, which will be completed as rapidly as possible, there will only remain in the fortress the number of troops indispensable for the safe transmission of the war material.
“The Grand Duke on his part undertook to adopt the measures necessary for converting the place into an open town, by means of a demolition such as he might judge sufficient to fulfil the intentions of the powers. Those operations will commence immediately after the retirement of the garrison, and will be carried out with all the precautions required by the interest of the inhabitants.
“The ratifications are to be exchanged in the space of four weeks as a maximum.
“This treaty responds fully to the views of the French government. It puts an end to a situation created against us in days of adversity and maintained for fifty years; it gives to our northern frontier the guarantee of a new neutral state.
“It insures to the King of Holland, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, an entire independence.
“It not only suppresses the causes of an imminent conflict, but gives besides new gauges for the consolidation of good relations with our neighbors and for the peace of Europe.
[Page 242]“The Emperor’s government thinks it has reason to congratulate itself on having obtained those results, and on being able at the same time to announce how far the sentiments of the powers have been equitable and friendly towards us.
“The government lastly thinks it useful to put in a strong light this fact—that for the first time, perhaps, the meeting of a conference, instead of following a war and limiting itself to a sanction of the results of a campaign, has succeeded in preventing hostilities and preserving for Europe the blessings of peace. There is in that circumstance a precious indication of the new tendencies which prevail more and more in the world, and at which all the friends of pacific progress and civilization ought to rejoice.” [Great applause.]
The president stated that the senate acknowledged the communication made, and would have it duly inserted on the minutes of the sitting. After a few reports on petitions had been brought forward, the proceedings terminated.