FRANCE. 



369 





ister of the Interior, published a circular, in 

 which he says that, as local questions only have 

 to be decided at these elections, he recommends 

 to the prefects that the electors should be al- 

 lowed to manifest their choice spontaneously, 

 and should only be interfered with if imprudent 

 persons attempt to alter the character of the elec- 

 tions by importing questions of a political nature. 

 This abandonment of one of the most unpop- 

 ular features of the imperial policy, the " official 

 candidatures," was well received, although it 

 . soon appeared that it was more apparent than 

 real, as the Government in most places used its 

 whole influence in favor of the so-called "muni- 

 cipal ticket." The result seems to have satis- 

 fied both the Government and the Opposition. 

 The Government candidates obtained the ma- 

 jority in the departments, while the Opposition 

 claimed the majority in the great towns. 



An imperial decree of September 4th an- 

 nulled the resolutions adopted by the Councils- 

 General of the Seme and Marne, as having ex- 

 ceeded the limit of their powers. The resolu- 

 tions in question expressed the wish that the 

 law should aiford to the Councils-General the 

 power of deciding disputed departmental 

 elections, and suggested to the Government 

 whether it would not be advisable to give the 

 Councils-General the right of nominating their 

 presidents, vice-presidents, and secretaries. 



The French Government, during the year 

 1865, carried on war against the Republican 

 party of Mexico and the insurgents of Algeria. 

 Of the relation of France to Mexico, the " Blue 

 Book," which was communicated to the mem- 

 bers of the Legislative Body in January, 1866, 

 speaks as follows : 



The French Government, on undertaking the ex- 

 pedition to Mexico, placed before it an aim to which 

 it has rendered subordinate its conduct, and on which 

 its decisions are still depending. "We went to Mexico 

 to obtain redress, not to proselytize for the cause of 

 monarchy. Our soldiers are not in Mexico with the 

 object of intervention. The Imperial Government 

 has constantly repelled that doctrine as contrary to 

 the fundamental principles of our rights. Mexico is 

 at present ruled by a regular Government, anxious to 

 fulfil the engagements it has made in respect both to 

 the persons and properties of foreigners. When the 

 necessary arrangements are concluded with the Em- 

 peror Maximilian, we shall be so far from repudiating 

 the results of our principles as regards intervention, 

 that we shall, on the contrary, accept them as the 

 guiding rule for all Powers, and it will then be easy 

 to foretell the time when we shall be able to effect the 

 return of the expeditionary army. 



The relation of France to the United States 

 is reviewed by the same book in the following 

 manner : 



Great changes took place last year in the aspect of 

 affairs in the United States. In view of the conflict 

 proceeding between the North and the South, we 

 were, in common with the other maritime powers, 

 under the necessity of recognizing the existence of 

 two belligerents, and of stating the fact by a public 

 declaration. Immediately it became certain that the 

 Union renounced exercising the laws of war to such 

 neutral vessels, we hastened to revoke the measures 

 which were the consequence of our neutrality. The 

 complete success of the Federal forces has caused the 

 VOL. v. 24 A 



return to the Union of all the States who endeavored 

 to secede therefrom. From that moment the solici- 

 tude of the Washington cabinet was directed to the 

 means of repairing the calamities of so profound a 

 crisis. We most earnestly and constantly desired 

 the pacification of the United States, and were re- 

 joiced to see a termination to the effusion of generous 

 blood. We now wish that this great country may 

 promptly effect its reorganization in the manner best 

 calculated to insure its future tranquillity and assist 

 the resumption and development of the important 

 commercial relations it maintains with the whole 

 world. 



The occupation of Mexico by French troops, 

 continued throughout the whole year a subject 

 of animated diplomatic correspondence between 

 the Governments of France and the United 

 States. The most important of the American 

 despatches were made public by the Washington 

 Government, in reply to a call for them on the 

 part of the Senate ; and the publication of this 

 part of the correspondence, induced the French 

 Government to enclose (contrary to its original 

 intention) its own despatches in the "Yellow 

 Book," which was laid before the Chambers in 

 January, 1866. It appears from these despatches, 

 that since the termination of the war in the 

 United States, the remonstrances of the Wash- 

 ington Government against the continued occu- 

 pation of Mexico by the French, became more 

 urgent. It was represented to the French Gov- 

 ernment that the sympathies of the American 

 people were strongly with the Republicans of 

 Mexico, and the voice of the whole people de- 

 manded that foreign troops should no longer 

 interfere with the popular sovereignty of the 

 Mexican nation. France, in reply, disclaimed 

 any intention of territorial aggrandizement, and 

 subsequently intimated a readiness to withdraw 

 her troops, in case the Government of the Uni- 

 ted States would pledge itself to recognize the 

 Imperial Government. When this was declined 

 by the United States, France intimated that she 

 would be satisfied with a pledge not to inter- 

 fere in the internal affairs of Mexico. But this 

 was likewise declined at Washington. At the 

 close of the year, the opinion generally prevail- 

 ed, that France would yield to the urgent re- 

 monstrances of the United States, and this 

 opinion was greatly strengthened by the words 

 on Mexico, contained in the speech with which 

 the Emperor, on January 22, 1866, opened the 

 Chambers. The Emperor thus referred to the 

 affairs of Mexico and the United States : 



In Mexico, the government founded upon the will 

 of the people, is being consolidated. The opposition, 

 conquered and dispersed, have no longer a chief. 

 The National troops have displayed valor, snd the 

 country has found guarantees of order and security 

 which have developed its resources and raised its 

 commerce, with France alone, from twenty-one to 

 seventy-seven millions. 



As I expressed the hope last year that our expedi- 

 tion was approaching its termination, I am coining to 

 an understanding with the Emperor Maxim ih-an to fix 

 the epoch for the recall of our troops, before their return 

 is effected, without compromising the French interests 

 which we have been defending in that remote country. 



North America, issuing victoriously from a formi- 

 dable struggle, has reestablished the Union and sol- 



