Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Dix to Mr. Seward

No. 157.]

Legation of the United States, Paris, November 22, 1867.

Sir: The Paris journals are full of speculations in regard to the Roman question—indeed, they have been from the commencement of Garibaldi’s movement. Some of these speculations, like the inclosed, translated from the “Liberté,” are of the wildest character. I have not thought it advisable to take any other notice of it than to say to one or two persons who spoke to me on the subject, that, so far as the article referred to me, it was entirely destitute of truth. The policy of the United States in abstaining from all interference with the domestic concerns of other independent states is so well known abroad as to make it very unlikely that the statement in the “Epoque” will obtain any credence in intelligent quarters.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Untitled]

[Translation from the “Liberté,” November 22, 1867.]

The “Epoque” informs us that General Dix, minister of the United States at Paris, has received from his government an order to protest against the exclusion of the American Republic from the conference upon the Roman affairs.

In the opinion of the Washington cabinet the Roman question is not simply European, but universal.

Mr. de Moustier, the “Epoque” tells us, has received favorably this step of the American diplomat.

This is a piece of news which may well be true, provided that the first fact upon which our brother editor bases his statements is in any degree authentic.