Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.
Your despatch of May 5 (No. 23) has been received. It presents an argument for the ratification of the two treaties with Mexico which you had signed and transmitted to this department at an earlier day. The argument is calm, logical, and earnest. The President is satisfied that your proceedings in this matter have been inspired by just and generous motives, and that the policy you propose is one worthy of very deliberate examination.
You have, however, already been informed that the Senate, on being duly applied to by the President, has advised him not to enter into a treaty which “will require the United States to assume any portion of the principal or interest of the debt of Mexico, or that will require the concurrence of European powers.” And it is understood that this advice was agreed in by a nearly unanimous vote of that body, without whose consent no treaty whatever can be made by the executive department of the government.
Under these circumstances the President thinks that it is now his duty to refer the treaties, together with your argument and all other papers relating to the present condition of Mexico, to the Senate, in a confidential manner, for their due consideration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Thomas Corwin, Esq., &c., &c., &c.