Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward
Sir: In a conversation with the Marquis de Moustier a few days ago, he referred to the approaching evacuation of Mexico by the French corps d’armée there. He then spoke of the unfortunate condition of that country, and of the hope which had been entertained that some agreement would have been made between the United States and France, with a view to establish a stable government there before the French forces were withdrawn. As his allusion to the subject was in the nature of a regret for the failure of an expectation which had been entirely abandoned, I did not deem myself called on to make any answer except that our principle had always been to abstain from all interference with the internal affairs of independent states. He said the difficulty we had in uniting in such a measure was understood.
I considered his reference to the subject as an acquiescence in your reply to Mr. Berthemy on the 17th ultimo, of which he must have been advised, and I cannot doubt the earnest desire of the Emperor to cut entirely loose, at the earliest possible day, from all his Mexican complications.
I cannot close without congratulating you on the success of your policy inregard [Page 238] to this delicate question, the wisdom of which is so triumphantly vindicated by the result.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.