[Extracts.]
Mr. Canisius to Mr. Seward
No. 57.]
Consulate of the United States
of America, Vienna,
May 8, 1866.
Sir:* * * * The news received here per
telegraph that you have demanded of Austria the discontinuation of
sending any more volunteers to Maximilian, of Mexico, has created
here quite a sensation. The people of Austria feel now, in their
distress, more than ever, that this enterprise of Maximilian, and
the subsequent agreement made by this government to aid him by
sending soldiers to that distant country, of no value to the people
of this empire, was a great mistake.
I found in this morning’s paper the following item:
[Page 844]
[Translation.]
“Laybach, (near Trieste,)
May 5.
“The Mexican free corps.—The recruiting
for the Mexican free corps will definitely be closed to-day. All
the recruits have to be ready on the 8th of this month at the
principal depot at Laybach, as the embarcation commences in
Trieste on the 10th instant. The Mexican Colonel Leisser will
personally attend to the embarcation.”
What the Austrian government will decide now, after your protest,
will soon he seen, as the embarcation was to take place on the
10th of this month.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
T. CANISIUS, United States
Consul.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
