it may be taken, I think, by the states interested, as a sufficient guarantee of a policy of peace and good neighborhood on the part of France for the present. National and dynastic interests and ambitions so frequently change, that assurances designed to cover a distant future are seldom reliable.

SIR: The Moniteur announced on Saturday last that the Marquis de Montholon was to be replaced at Washington by Mr. Berthemy, the late envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of France in China.

Mr. Berthemy was secretary of legation under M. Thouvenel, at Constantinople, and subsequently his chief secretary when he was named minister of foreign affairs. His first and the only full mission he has filled was that to China.

The Marquis de Moustier mentioned this change to me on Thursday last, but as he had not yet announced it to the Marquis de Montholon, he requested me not to mention it in my correspondence of that week. He spoke of Mr. Berthemy as a young man, and one who had no fixed opinions or prejudices in regard to the United States. He is now in Paris, in congé, but I have not yet met him.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

JOHN BIGELOW.

No. 544.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, November 6, 1866.

SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 19th of October, No. 377, which relates to a claim of a citizen of the United States against the French government, arising out of the seizure of powder on board the schooner William L. Richardson, Captain Goodwin, in the gulf of California.

You inform me that the French government proposes to postpone the final consideration of this claim until the organization of a mixed claims commission, to be agreed upon by the two governments, shall be effected.

The deference justly due to Congress has, until this time, induced the President to refrain from formally negotiating conditions of this sort for the settlement of claims against the United States, as well as in their favor, resulting from or connected with our recent civil war and the disturbed condition of affairs in Mexico.

Not sufficient time had elapsed after the close of that war, and before the last adjournment of Congress, to enable them to declare the national will in regard to the form in which the great mass of claims, before referred to, should be heard and adjudicated. Their attention to the subject will be invited at the approaching session.

In the mean time the Marquis de Moustier's suggestion of delay, in view of such action of this government in regard to the claim first mentioned, seems to be fair and reasonable.

SIR: The minister of foreign affairs informed me on Thursday last, in reply to a question which certain newspaper rumors prompted me to address him, that it was the purpose of the Emperor to withdraw all his troops from Mexico in the spring, but none before that time. I expressed my surprise and regret at this determination, so distinctly in conflict with the pledges given by his excellency's predecessor, Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, both to you, through the Marquis de Montholon, and also to myself personally. The marquis assigned considerations of a purely military character, overlooking, or underestimating, as it seemed to me, the improtance which this change might possibly have upon the relations of France with the United States. My first impulse was to send him a note on the following day, asking for a formal statement of the Emperor's motives for disregarding the stipulations of his foreign minister for a withdrawal. of one detachment of his Mexican army during the current month of November. I concluded, however, that it would be more satisfactory to the President that I should see the Emperor himself upon the subject. I accordingly waited upon his Majesty yesterday, at St. Cloud, repeated to him what the Marquis de Moustier had told me, and desired to know what, if anything, could be done by me to anticipate and prevent the discontent which I felt persuaded would be experienced by my country people, if they receive this intelligence without any explanation. I referred to the early meeting of Congress, when any change in our relations either with France or Mexico, would be likely to come under discussion, and my fear that his Majesty's reasons for postponing the repatriation of the first detachment of his troops might be attributed to motives which our .people would be disposed to resent.

The Emperor said that it was true that he had concluded to postpone the recall of any of his troops until spring; but that in doing so he had been influenced entirely by military considerations. At the time he gave the order, the successes of the dissidents, supported as they were by large re-enforcements from the United States, seemed to render any reduction of his force there perilous to those remaining behind.

He accordingly sent a telegram to Marshal Bazaine, who had already embarked a regiment, (eighty-first, I think he said,) but which had fortunately been prevented from sailing by unfavorable winds, directing him to embark no troops until all were ready to come. This despatch, his Majesty said, was not sent in cipher, that no secret might be made of its tenor in the United States. The troops were then disembarked and returned to Orizaba. His Majesty went on to say that he sent General Castelnau to Mexico about the same time, charged to inform Maximilian that France could not give him another cent of money nor another man; if he thought he could sustain himself there alone, France would not withdraw her troops faster than had been stipulated for by Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, should such be his desire; but if, on the other hand, he was disposed to abdicate, which was the course his Majesty counselled him to take, General Castelnau was charged to find some government with which to treat for the protection of French interests, and to bring all the army home in the spring.

I asked his Majesty if the President of the United States had been notified of this, or if anything had been done to prepare his mind for the change in his Majesty's policy. He said that he did not know; that M. de Moustier ought to have done so; that, as these events occurred during the interim of a change in the ministry of foreign affairs, it was possible that it had been neglected, though his telegram to Marshal Bazaine was purposely sent in a way to show that there was nothing in his plans to disguise.

I remarked that my government was constantly under the necessity of protesting against acts done in the name of his Majesty, and the effect of such protests was always to weaken public confidence in the representations which the government had felt itself authorized to make in regard to his Majesty's intentions. I then explained to him again briefly the grave inconveniences liable to result from any unexplained departure from the stipulations already given in his Majesty's name to the world. His Majesty replied that we had the telegraph now, and that any misunderstanding of that sort might be readily rectified.

His Majesty appeared to realize the importance of having an understanding with the President upon the subject, and I left with the impression that he intended to occupy himself with the matter at once.

There is but one sentiment here about the determination of France to wash her hands of Mexico as soon as possible. Nor have I any doubt that the Emperor is acting in entire good faith towards us; but I did not feel sure that the change in his plans, upon which I have been commenting, would receive so favorable an interpretation in the United States. In view of recent successes gained by the imperialists in Mexico, and in view of the somewhat turbulent state of our politics at home, I feared that the course of the Emperor might possibly awaken suspicions in the United States, which might seriously prejudice the relations of the two countries. To prevent such a calamity, if possible, I thought it my duty to take the precautions of which I have here rendered you.

an account.

The fact which the Emperor admitted in this conversation, that he had advised Maximilian to abdicate, has prepared me to expect every day the announcement of his abdication, for such advice, in Maximilian's dependent condition, is almost equivalent to an order. That it would be so regarded is, I think, the expectation of the Emperor, and ample preparations for the early repatriation of all the troops have, I believe, already been made by the ministers of war and marine. The Emperor stated that he expected to know the final result of Castlenau's mission toward the end of this month.

A telegram has appeared in the London Star and Post, quoting a report circulating in New York on the 6th, that Maximilian had abdicated. As despatches received the 7th made no reference to this report, I presume it was at least premature.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

JOHN BIGELOW.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow.

No. 545.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 9, 1866. SIR: I have been unable until this moment to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of October 12, No. 374.

The President is pleased with the liberal and friendly disposition which is manifested by the Marquis de Moustier in regard to our international questions.

Mr. Campbell proceeds to-morrow, with Lieutenant General Sherman, to Mexico, or its vicinity. I give you a copy of the instructions of this department to our new out-going minister to Mexico. It is not intended that they shall be formally or officially communicated to the French government; but, at the same time, we affect no secrecy on the occasion. You may, therefore, make such use of them as you find necessary or expedient in making known the policy of this government as affected by the anticipated retirement of the French military forces from that country.

I thank you for the information you have given me concerning domestic questions of interest in the French empire.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

SIR: Your despatch of the 8th of November, No. 384, in regard to Mexico, is received.

Your proceedings in your interview with M. Moustier, and also your proceed ings in your interview with the Emperor, are entirely approved. Say to M. Moustier that this government is surprised and affected with deep concern by the announcement, now made for the first time, that the promised recall of one .detachment of the French troops from Mexico in November current has been postponed by the Emperor. The embarrassment thus produced is immeasurably increased by the circumstance that this proceeding of the Emperor has been taken without conference with, and even without notice to, the United States. This government has not in any way afforded re-enforcements to the Mexicans, as the Emperor seems to assume, and it has known nothing at all of his countermanding instructions to Marshal Bazaine, of which the Emperor speaks. We consult only official communications to ascertain the purposes and resolutions of France, as we make our own purposes and resolutions known only in the same manner where she is concerned.

I am not prepared to say, and it is now unnecessary to discuss, whether the President could or could not have agreed to the Emperor's proposed delay if he had been seasonably consulted, and if the proposition had been then put, as the proceeding is now, upon the ground of military considerations alone, and if it had been marked with the customary manifestation of regard to the interests and feelings of the United States. But the Emperor's decision to modify the existing arrangement without any understanding with the United States, so as to leave the whole French army in Mexico for the present instead of withdrawing one detachment in November current, as promised, is now found in every way inconvenient and exceptionable. We cannot acquiesce

First. Because the term "next spring," as appointed for the entire evacuation, is indefinite and vague.

Second. Because we have no authority for stating to Congress and to the American people that we have now a better guarantee for the withdrawal of the whole expeditionary force in the spring than we have heretofore had for the withdrawal of a part in November.

* For enclosure see correspondence with Mexico.

Third. In full reliance upon at least a literal performance of the Emperor's existing agreement, we have taken measures, while facilitating the anticipated French evacuation, to co-operate with the republican government of Mexico for promoting the pacification of that country and for the early and complete restoration of the proper constitutional authority of that government. As a part of those measures, Mr. Campbell, our newly-appointed minister, attended by Lieutenant General Sherman, has been sent to Mexico in order to confer with President Juarez on subjects which are deeply interesting to the United States and of vital importance to Mexico.

Our policy and measures thus adopted in full reliance upon the anticipated beginning of the evacuation of Mexico were promptly made known to the French legation here, and doubtless you have already executed your instructions by making them known to the Emperor's government in Paris.

The Emperor will perceive that we cannot now recall Mr. Campbell, nor can we modify the instructions under which he is expected to treat, and under which he may even now be treating with the republican government of Mexico.

That government will, of course, most earnestly desire and confidently expect an early and entire discontinuation of foreign hostile occupation. You will, therefore, state to the Emperor's government that the President sincerely hopes and expects that the evacuation of Mexico will be carried into effect with such conformity to the existing agreement as the inopportune complication which calls for this despatch shall allow. Mr. Campbell will be advised of that complication. Instructions will be issued to the United States military forces of observation, to await in every case special directions from the President. This will be done with a confident expectation that the telegraph or mail may seasonably bring us a satisfactory resolution from the Emperor in reply to this note. You will assure the French government that the United States, while they seek the relief of Mexico, desire nothing more earnestly than to preserve peace and friendship with France. Nor does the President allow himself to doubt that what has been determined in France, most inauspiciously, as we think, has been decided upon inadvertently, without full reflection upon the embarrassment it must produce here, and without any design to retain the French expeditionary forces in Mexico beyond the full period of eighteen months, originally stipulated for the complete evacuation.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN BIGELOW, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow.

[Telegram per cable.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, November 30, 1866. SIR: Despatch just received by Secretary of War from General Sheridan at New Orleans, reports that he has reason to fear that for some unaccountable and unjustifiable reason General Sedgwick has crossed or will cross the Rio Grande and demand the surrender of Matamoras, on plea of preventing the pillage of Americans. General Sheridan reports that if Sedgwick should so cross the Rio Grande, he, Sheridan, will at once disapprove the proceeding and will relieve him from his command; and he has already telegraphed to General Sedgwick disapproving the proceeding. The Secretary of War has approved General Sheridan's action and disapproved that of General Sedgwick in all respects.