THE MONROE DOCTRINE 403 



When Drouyn de Lhuys (the French Minister of Foreign 

 Affairs) intimated the emperor's desire for the United 

 States to recognize Maximilian, Mr. Seward adroitly replied 

 that " a determination to err on the side of strict neutrality, 

 if we err at all," was all the emperor could expect of the 

 United States. But he continued more openly : 



Happily the French Government has not been left uninformed 

 that, in the opinion of the United States, the permanent establish- 

 ment of a foreign and monarchical government in Mexico will be 

 found neither easy nor desirable. You will inform Mr. Drouyn 

 de 1'Huys that this opinion remains unchanged. On the other 

 hand, the United States cannot anticipate the action of the people 

 of Mexico, nor have they the least purpose or desire to interfere 

 with their proceedings, or control or interfere with their free 

 choice, or disturb them in the enjoyment of whatever institutions 

 of government they may, in the exercise of an absolute freedom, 

 establish. It is proper, also, that Mr. Drouyn de 1'Huys should 

 be informed that the United States continue to regard Mexico as 

 the theatre of a war which has not yet ended in the subversion 

 of the Government long existing there, with which the United 

 States remain in the relation of peace and sincere friendship; 

 and that, for this reason, the United States are not now at liberty 

 to consider the question of recognizing a Government which, in 

 the further chances of war, may come into its place. The United 

 States, consistently with their principles, can do no otherwise than 

 leave the destinies of Mexico in the keeping of her own people, 

 and recognize their sovereignty and independence in whatever 

 form they themselves shall choose that this sovereignty and inde- 

 pendence shall be manifested. 



With the actual crowning of Maximilian, Congress could 

 not restrain its indignation, nor longer remain silent. Mexi- 

 can affairs then began to compel consideration in the United 

 States, and even to assume importance superior to the en- 

 grossing excitements of the civil war. The press clamored 

 for a positive reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine, and Con- 

 gress responded to the call, heedless of the consequences. 



On April 4, 1864, the House passed the following resolu- 

 tion without a dissenting voice : 



The Congress of the United States are unwilling by silence to 

 have the nations of the world under the impression that they are 



