402 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



sent at a more auspicious moment. To Mr. Motley, Minister 

 to Austria, Mr. Sevvard wrote, September 11, 1863 : - 



When France made war against Mexico, we asked of France 

 explanations of her objects and purposes. She answered, that it 

 was a war for the redress of grievances ; that she did not intend 

 to permanently occupy or dominate in Mexico, and that she 

 should leave to the people of Mexico a free choice of institu- 

 tions of government. 



But the vigorous campaign of the French had begun ta 

 alarm the people of the United States. Mr. Seward ad- 

 dressed Mr. Dayton, September 21, 1863 : - 



. . . The United States government has hitherto practised 

 strict neutrality between the French and Mexico, and all the 

 more cheerfully because it has relied on the assurances given by 

 the French government that it did not intend permanent occupa- 

 tion of that country or any violence to the sovereignty of its peo- 

 ple. The proceedings of the French in Mexico are regarded by 

 many in that country and in this as at variance with those assur- 

 ances. Owing to this circumstance, it becomes very difficult for 

 this government to enforce a rigid observance of its neutrality 

 laws. The President thinks it desirable that you should seek 

 an opportunity to mention these facts to Mr. Drouyn de PHuys,. 

 and to suggest to him that the interests of the United States, 

 and, as it seems to us, the interest of France herself, require 

 that a solution of the present complications in Mexico be made 

 as early as may be convenient upon the basis of the unity and 

 independence of Mexico. I cannot be misinterpreting the senti- 

 ments of the United States in saying that they do not desire an 

 annexation of Mexico or any part of it, nor do they desire any 

 special interest, control, or influence there, but they are deeply 

 interested in the reestablishment of unity, peace, and order in the 

 neighboring republic, and exceedingly desirous that there may 

 not arise out of the war in Mexico any cause of alienation between 

 them and France. . . . 



A threat is here veiled only by expressions of good-will ; 

 but numerous letters written by Mr. Seward to the French 

 Minister about this period, indicate the extreme dissatisfac- 

 tion felt by the United States Government against France,, 

 which was held in restraint only by domestic war at home. 



