Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward.
Sir: You are, no doubt, kept fully advised by Mr. Hale of the state of things at Madrid. Much anxiety is felt here in regard to the reorganization of the new government, in consequence of the known differences of opinion among the leading men, chiefly military commanders, who have things in their hands. Still the almost bloodless character of the revolution, the unanimity of feeling on the part of the army and the people with which the Queen has been disowned, and the great moderation with which affairs have been conducted thus far, inspire strong-hopes of a satisfactory result.
I write for the purpose of saying that those who represent the imperial government in the absence of the Emperor declare emphatically that France will view political movements in Spain with “perfect serenity,”
to use their own phrase. Intervention at this moment would be so unwarrantable that there can be no reason to doubt the entire sincerity [Page 453] of this declaration; but it is not difficult to foresee a conjuncture of circumstances which would be considered as justifying a departure from it, and it would be unwise to count upon it as the evidence of a settled policy. The most effective restraint, should any desire be felt to profit by the temporary disorganization there, is, no doubt, to be found in the hostile feeling which exists in Prussia and Italy against the Emperor and his government.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.