Sunday, May 3, 2009

Correspondence on Mexican Affairs

WASHINGTON, April 15. – The president, to-day, in response to a resolution of the House transmitted voluminous documents, embracing all the correspondence which has taken place since June last, relative to the affairs of Mexico.

From a hasty glance at the contents, it appears that on the 3d of that month, Mr. Seward in writing to Mr. Corwin, informs him that intelligence wearing an air of authenticity discloses a design on the part of the insurgents of this country to gain possession of Lower California, and that the President expects him to exercise his best judgment, not only to thwart this scheme but prevent Rebel armed vessels from finding shelter in Mexican ports, and from carrying arms through the territory of that Republic.

The defence of Mexican sovereignty is urged upon the attention of that Government, and the declaration made that the United States does not desire to acquire any part of Mexico.

On the 9th of June Mr. Corwin informs Mr. Seward that it had been his constant endeavor since his arrival at the City of Mexico to possess the Mexican mind of the true cause of our difficulties, and thus enable them to estimate the danger which would result for any unfavorable termination of them. He was quite sure that while the Mexican government would endeavor to preserve friendly relations with all European Powers on fair terms, it regarded the United States it true and only reliable friend in any struggle which might involve its national existence.

Toward the close of July Mr. Corwin, in the course of his dispatch, incidentally remarks that Europe is quite willing to see us humbled and will not fail to take [advantage] of our embarrassments to execute purposes of which she would not have dreamed had we remained at peace. This was said with reference to the joint intervention of England, France and Spain in the affairs of Mexico.

Mr. Seward, in writing to Mr. Corwin on the 2d of September, assures him the president greatly desired that the political States of Mexico, as an independent nation, should be permanently maintained. And in December, after speaking of the joint intervention, informed him that the Government could not consent to his return from Mexico, as desired.

From the embarrassment by which she is surrounded, which will be acceptable to the Senate It is known that Mr. Corwin negotiated a treated with [Mexico], but the Senate rejected it on the ground that it was advisable to assume, as was proposed, any portion of the principal or interest of the debt of Mexico, or which would require the concurrence of the European Powers In communicating this result to Mr. Corwin Mr. Seward says, April 3d, under these circumstances the President is unable to suggest to you any other mode conducing the deliverance of our sister republic.

I desire to direct your most earnest attention to the necessity of guarding against any such pledge of the resources of Mexico to Foreign Powers as might affect our cause injuriously, or impair the enabling of the people of Mexico to sustain the free Government established by their own choice. You will not leave the Government of Mexico in doubt for a moment that the Government of the United States is not indifferent to the perils by which they are menaced.

The Senate in Executive session to-day confirmed the following nominations:

Gov. S. D. Morgan of N.Y., to be Maj. Gen.; Carl Schurz, Col. Nathan Kimball of Ind. Vols, Paymaster Benj. Alford of the U.S.A., Capt. Geo. L. Hulsoff, of the Adjt. Gens. Dept., Wm Smith of Ohio, Col. Chas. Devins and Rufus Saxton of Mass., Col. Jas. H. Van Allen of the 3d Regt. N.Y. Cavalry, and Napoleon B. Buford of Ill., to be Brigadier Generals of Volunteers.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

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