Mr. Corwin to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Nothing has occurred here since the date of my last despatch which could give any new information to our government as to the aim and ultimate designs of the French Emperor upon this part of the American continent. My own conclusions on the subject are founded upon facts, I dare say, better known at Washington than they are here. I need, therefore, only say now that recent events in France and elsewhere on the continent of Europe all tend to render the conquest and subjugation of Mexico by French power quite impracticable. How much of carnage will be required to restore the supposed damaged prestige of the French arms remains to be seen. But this being accomplished, I confidently anticipate a treaty, good or bad, for this republic, by which all French questions with Mexico will be for the present adjusted.
The news from home, received here up to the 2d of September, give some faint hope that the battles about that time fought near Bull’s Run may be “the beginning of the end.” I wait with eager anxiety for the news by the next British packet, which must reach us in a day or two hence. Mexico, or rather the thinking men of Mexico, look upon our struggle with as deep and absorbing interest as that which they feel in regard to their own impending conflict. They seem to entertain a sad and profound conviction that our failure will be the doom of free government everywhere on the earth.
I am your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C.