No. 80.]
Legation of the United States,
London,
July 29, 1868.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[From the
London Times, July 28,
1868.]
House of Commons, Monday, July
27.
The Republic of Mexico.
Mr. Kinglake asked the secretary of state for foreign affairs what
obstacles now impeded the establishment of diplomatic relations
between this country and the republic of Mexico.
Lord Stanley. The relations at present
existing between England and Mexico are not of a satisfactory
character. We have no diplomatic intercourse with that republic,
and, consequently, we have no direct means of affording that
protection which we should wish to give to British subjects resident
in Mexico. But I wish to point out—though I think I stated it before
in this house—that, though this state of things is one which her
Majesty’s government regret, it is not their doing. The fact is that
the present government of Mexico, acting, as I venture to think, not
very wisely, but acting, no doubt, within their right, chose to
consider the recognition by England of the Mexican empire an act of
hostility, against the Mexican republic, which, they contend, was
the only legitimate, government ever in existence, though, of
course, during the time of the government of the empire it must have
been in abeyance. They therefore thought fit to break off diplomatic
relations with this country. We cannot deny their right to have done
that. Neither do I think it would be—I will not say suitable to the
dignity, but consistent with the self-respect of this country, they
having taken that step, that we should ask them to reconsider it and
admit us to friendly intercourse. (Hear, hear.) All I can say is
that whenever they may think it right to take what I will venture to
call a more rational view, and show a wish to make up this
difference, they will not find any difficulty in the way of a
reconciliation on our part. (Hear, hear.) But I think the offer
ought to come from them, and not from us. (Cheers.)
