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Mr. Dimon to Mr. Seward.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 7. 1867. SIR: In compliance with your instructions in regard to the delivery to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln of the French medal, immediately upon my arrival in Chicago I addressed a note to that lady informing her of the object of my visit, and requesting the privilege of an interview. A copy of my note, marked A, is herewith enclosed.

In reply I received a communication marked B. At the time appointed I called and presented to Mrs. Lincoln your letter, Mr. Bigelow's despatch, the communication of the French committee and the medal.

In discharging this duty I thought it proper and not inappropriate to say to Mrs. Lincoln what you will find in the enclosure marked C.

Mrs. Lincoln expressed to me the melancholy pleasure which she found in receiving the touching memorial of the sympathy of the gentlemen of France, and that she could assure them that it would be treasured by herself and family as a precious memento of the admiration of the republicans of France for her beloved husband.

I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
THEODORE W. DIMON.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

A.

Mr. Dimon to Mrs. Lincoln.

SHERMAN HOUSE, CHICAGO,
December 26, 1866.

MADAME: The honorable William H. Seward, Secretary of State, has confided to my care a gold medal prepared in France, at the instance of a large number of French citizens who are desirous of expressing to you their profound sympathy in your affliction and of commemorating their high appreciation of the unblemished character and the eminent public services of your lamented husband, the late President of the United States. A copy of the Secretary of State's communication upon this subject is enclosed for your information.

I shall be happy to receive from you an intimation of your wishes in regard to your reception of the elegant symbol of the sentiment of the French people.

With assurances of great respect, I have the honor to be, madame, your very obedient servant,

Mrs. ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

THEODORE W. DIMON.

Chicago, Illinois.

B.

Mrs. Lincoln to Mr. Dimon.

375 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, CHICAGO, December 27, 1866.

In reply to the polite note of Mr. Dimon, Mrs. A. Lincoln would suggest the hour of 2 this p. m. as most convenient to receive a call from him.

C.

MADAME: From this communication you will learn that, through the kindness of the Secretary of State, I have the honor to be the bearer of a letter and a gold medal prepared in France at the instance of a large number of illustrious citizens of that country who desire that you will accept the offering as a tribute of their veneration for the memory of your lamented husband, the late President of the United States. Mr. Bigelow's letter will inform you of the deep sympathy which finds expression in this elegant memorial.

The wisdom and purity of character for which our beloved President was pre-eminent among us has touched the hearts of the people throughout the whole civilized world.

In this beautiful record we may see an affecting and enduring emblem of the profound emotion of regard which inspired the republicans of France to communicate to you the heartfelt sentiments of their condolence.

As an humble and youthful citizen of the United States, permit me to add the assurance of my reverence for the teachings of the bright example left as a legacy by that great and good man to the youth of this country. In the overwhelming sorrow which you have to bear, I cannot say to you how much you have our unaffected sympathy and respect.

No. 11.]

Mr. Seward to Mr Dix.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, January 18, 1867.

SIR: I give you herewith for your information a copy of a memorandum* of a conversation which was held between the French minister and myself on the 17th instant. The substance of the affair is that the French government desires to engage the United States in an understanding with reference to proceedings for the political reorganization of Mexico, in view of the discontinuance of the French armed intervention. The French government seems to insist upon only one condition, namely, the exclusion of President Juarez from among the authorities, actual or possible, who, according to their view, should be supported by the United States and France in establishing some kind of provisional government. These views of the French government have been in every proper way urged upon our attention by Mr. Berthemy during his residence with us. Our well-considered reply in substance is, that we must continue to recognize and respect the authority of President Juarez and the republican government, and that we can in no way intervene or interfere with the people of Mexico in the regulation of their own political affairs. I feel sure that Mr. Berthemy's residence here, although it has been so short, has still been long enough to satisfy him that even if the executive department of the government had any doubts concerning the wisdom of the decision thus announced, it could nevertheless adopt no different policy at the present moment without being dissented from in the Senate and calling forth the emphatic protest of the American people. At the same time it is not difficult for us to see that the French government attaches great importance to the suggestions which we have thought it our duty to decline.

I give you also for your information a copy of a despatch which was written to us by our consul in Mexico on the 29th day of December. These papers give us reason to apprehend that there is a conflict of policy and a division of authority among the French agents in Mexico; that some of those agents incline to withhold both troops and war material from Maximilian upon the grounds, first, that it would be incompatible with the understanding which exists between France and the United States in regard to Mexico, and, second, that it would amount to an indirect prolongation of the intervention after the departure of the French troops. Others of those agents, on the other hand, think proceedings of that sort proper and allowable.

In connection with these subjects, I have thought proper to give you a copy of a debate which occurred in the Senate on the 15th day of the present month 1; also a copy of an article which appeared in the New York Evening Post on the 8th instant.

I furnish you these papers in order that you may have the means of impressing upon Mr. Moustier the conviction that it is much to be desired that the proceedings of the French agents in conducting the evacuation should be prosecuted in a manner least calculated to excite distrust and jealousy in the United States. I have no doubt that this is the fixed policy of the Emperor. For this reason, as well as others, I sincerely desire to be able to bring to an end ✦ the practice of complaint and remonstrance which it has been found necessary to * For enclosure see correspondence with the French legation.

pursue since the beginning of the French intervention in Mexico, and which cannot be found more annoying to the French government than it has been unpleasant to the United States. We are earnest, as we believe France is, in the desire to begin a more cheerful and cordial chapter in the relations to the United States towards France and Mexico.

You are not expected to submit either this paper or the expositions and debates here referred to to the French government, nor to make them the occasion of a formal representation, but you will make such use of them as you find convenient, with a view to preventing, if possible, new complications in the present conjuncture.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX, Esq., &c.. &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Otterbourg to Mr. Seward.

No. 25.]

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
City of Mexico, December 29, 1866.

SIR: Since December 17th, date of my last despatch No. 24, the situation has grown more intricate from additional and delicate complications.

Mr. Dano, the French minister, and General Castelnau visited Puebla on the 20th instant, with the view of inducing Maximilian to abdicate and leave the country. It is hardly necessary to say that these gentlemen failed altogether in the object of their visit. In a private interview Maximilian remarked to General Castelnau, that at this crisis his abdication would be improper and inexpedient; he had appealed in his manifest to the will of the nation, and found himself compromitted to abide their decision as to his continuance in power with the monarchical form of government. He admitted to General Castelnau that the Congress he had convoked, should it ever assemble, might resolve to change the form of government, might possibly elect Juarez; in that event he would have no objection to resign the powers confided to him by the Mexican people, and to retire from the country; still further, he would accept a peaceful solution, could the Juarez government, through the mediation of the United, be brought to unite with him for its attainment.

The department might give an unmerited appreciation to these remarks, which in substance I derived from General Castelnau, did I omit the proper comments-a neglect to give an outline of the relations actually existing between Maximilian with the influences of his cabinet on the one part, and the French on the other. Maximilian arrays his grievances; complains that the French have not applied due support and interference in his behalf; that the marshal, especially, has not employed the means available for his cause. Had such been the fact, he would have been able to sustain himself. His advisers recognize and adroitly appeal to these resentments; they know the evacuation of the Mexican territory, as imposed upon the expeditionary army, by circumstances to be disastrous to the French-equally that any violent attempt by the French to remove Maximilian from the country would be still more disastrous. In the security of these convictions the scheme of a national congress has been devised, and Maximilian been drawn into a postponement of his abdication. Thus, with Maximilian as the representative of an established government, ample time will have been gained before the departure of the French to organize the resources of the church conservative party, and to settle them firmly in power. Should these views be successfully carried into effect, a new era of revolution will be entered upon, which, with the spirit of vengeance displayed by the contending factions, must inflict upon the country horrors new in the history of Mexico.

Father Fischer has been appointed private secretary to his Majesty, and, in consequence of the almost entire reorganization of the cabinet, is charged with the responsibilities of the several ministers.

Upon my private representations that the announcement (enclosure No. 1) in the Patria, organ of the high conservative church party, was in fact a departure from the neutrality proclaimed to have been assumed by the French, and that consequences the most serious must ensue both to the lives and property of all foreigners, and dangerous to an escape from actual difficulties, Messrs. Dano and Castelnau declined all responsibility without denying the fact of the order as reported to have issued from Marshal Bazaine. The inference that the marshal was exerting an influence injurious to the interests of France and to the known wishes of the United States in the actual state of the Mexican difficulties remained unanswered. At the same time it was unreservedly brought to the observation of Mr. Dano and General Castelnau that the material of war turned over to the imperial government, had been taken by the French from the Juarez government, which the United States not only recognized, but whose return to the capital they are anxiously awaiting as

preliminary to the pacification of the country, the period of which was greatly endangered and prolonged by furnishing resources to the avowed enemies of the objects proposed to themselves by the respective governments of France and the United States. This material of war should, in furtherance of the wishes of both governments to arrive at an early solution, be returned to Juarez, if the French were willing to recede from their position as a party to the war against the liberals.

D. Manuel Icaza, political prefect of the valley of Mexico, informed a person, a Frenchman of my confidence, "that Marshal Bazaine had given without price to Riva Palacio, a general of the liberal forces, operating on the outskirts of this valley, 300 stand of arms of the same kind which he had sold to the imperial government at $5 13 apiece. The marshal had also instigated and protected the pronunciamento by Rosas at Monte Alto against the government;" the prefect was also pleased to observe, "that on the withdrawal of the French from the city there would be exhibited a terrible movement of the populace against all foreigners, in which all parties would participate." To the inquiry as to what action the government would take in such event, the very characteristic reply was given "that the government would endeavor to extend the proper protection; but as they well knew these efforts would be to no purpose, they would be obliged to make the best terms for themselves that ⚫ circumstances permitted."

Miramon left yesterday morning for Guadalajara, (reported here to have been taken by the liberals on the 17th of this month,) accompanied by about 800 men, many of them caught under the order of impressment, (enclosure No. 2, herewith enclosed.) About 30 of his officers failed to appear at the point of rendezvous, after having received their outfit and advance of pay; they are doubtless unwilling to be caught by the liberals, who have made every arrangement to intercept Miramon and his party on his route from the capital.

Through good sources Tulamingo, the key to the district towards Tampico and the Ruastica, is to be given up to the liberals; the Belgians in garrison asking, in the uncertainty of their position with the government, to retire from the town. The Austro-Belgian corps, dissolved by imperial decree, with an invitation to enlist in the Mexican army, or a promise to be replaced in their homes, at their option, have been put under the orders of General Marques, as appears by enclosure No. 1.

Mr. Edward Pierron has resigned his post as private secretary to his Majesty the Emperor, as no longer compatible with his duties as a French subject and officer.

The result of the collection by the French of customs revenue in the terms of the convention, as related in a former despatch, has been a refusal by the custom-house officials in this city to deliver goods to consignees who do not pay duties previously collected in Vera Cruz by the French authorities. General Castelnau and the French minister have notified the minister of finance that, should this refusal be persisted in, force would be employed by the French for the delivery of the goods.

An order has been given by the liberal governor of the second district of Mexico to destroy as much of the railroad as possible between this capital and Puebla, as suitable to the better public service and the military operations.

As belonging to my duties to furnish any information at all important in the present state of our relations with Mexico, I would respectfully bring to the knowledge of the department the existence of a class almost ignored as an element in the composition of Mexican society, constituting chiefly the wealth, education, and order of Mexico; they keep aloof from active interference in politics. Indifferent alike to the principles of conservatives and liberals, they desire only peace and security; never supply but a tardy and limited assistance in money to the conservatives, when out of power, with the hope that with their return to the government they themselves might be secured against the abuse and lawlessness of the demagogues. A timely guarantee in favor of this class would conciliate an influential portion of the Mexican population and gain over to the liberals a party which is driven into opposition by its fears of vengeance threatened to their lives and property.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MARCUS OTTERBOURG, United States Consul in charge of the U. S. Legation.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[From Diario del Imperio, Wednesday, December 26, 1866.-Translation.]

(Unofficial Column.)

MEXICAN TROOPS AND MATERIAL OF WAR.

The Patria says in its issue of yesterday, by express order of his excellency General Bazaine, communicated to the chiefs of the expeditionary army, all the Mexican troops, and the Austrian and Belgian legions, are placed under the orders of his excellency General Marquez, in order that he may dispose of them as shall be convenient for the military operations intrusted

to General Marquez as chief of the corps d'armee of the east. This is a settled fact, and the Mexican general is actively engaged in organizing and duly augmenting the number of troops to commence his operations. The entire Mexican material of war, both that existing in the city as well as that in the interior, which was in the power of the expeditionary army, has been delivered, by express order of his excellency Marshal Bazaine, to the imperial government. This is also a settled fact. This proves as well as the former announcement the good understanding that exists between the intervention and the empire, which we have on various occasions asserted, differing therein from the asseverations publicly expressed.

MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR, SECTION 5.
[Circular No. 92.]

MEXICO, December 22, 1866.

Their excellencies Generals Miramon, Marquez, and Mejia, being appointed to form the corps d'armee charged with the pacification of the country, and it being necessary to aid in the most efficacious manner their operations, it is recommended to you to use every effort to supply the contingent of men they ask and need for the formation of the corps of their respective divisions, and to act thereto as promptly and efficiently as the circumstances exact. For the proper compliance with this measure, your excellency will assign to the aforesaid divisions all who are capable of performing military duty, with the sole exceptions of such as are legally exempted, endeavoring to attain the desired object without prejudicing the good name of the government by any proceedings on the part of the authorities which might be characterized as arbitrary.

Wherefore I recommend to your excellency the greatest prudence in the matter, and at the same time the most punctual compliance with the orders, the result of which you will report to the prefect of your district, with a statement of the assignment of the contingent required.

By the minister of the interior:

ANTONIO M. VIZCAINA,

Under-Secretary.

[From the Congressional Globe.]

FRENCH INTERVENTION IN MEXICO.

Mr. HOWARD. I ask the Senate to take up the resolution which I offered a few days since in regard to Mexico, instructing the Committee on Foreign Relations to make some inquiries and report upon the subject embraced in the resolution to the Senate.

Mr. SUMNER. Let the resolution be read.

The Secretary read the resolution submitted by Mr. Howard on the 4th instant, as follows:

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Relations be instructed to inquire and report to the Senate the present relations between France and the republic of Mexico; the extent, both with respect to population and territory, of the successes of Maximilian in his endeavors to overthrow that republic; the amount and character of his military force, including his French auxiliaries; the action of the executive branch of the government of the United States in reference to the intervention of France in the affairs of Mexico, including any treaty or project of treaty proposed, assented to, or recommended by our minister to France, with a view to a settlement of the difficulties between France and Mexico: the present prospect of the withdrawal of the French troops from Mexican soil, and the probability in the case of such withdrawal of Maximilian being able to maintain his standing there; and that for the purpose of such inquiries said committee be authorized to send for persons and papers.

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The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is the Senate ready for the question on the motion?
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Is the motion to refer ?

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The motion is that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the resolution which has just been read.

Mr. DOOLITTLE. I move that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. HOWARD. It is a resolution instructing the Committee on Foreign Relations to make these inquiries.

Mr. SUMNER. The motion now is to take it up.

Mr. DOOLITTLE. I withdraw the motion to refer if it is not taken up. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. It is not necessary to withdraw it. The motion now pending is that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the resolution. It is not yet before the Senate. The question is, will the Senate proceed to the consideration of the resolution?

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