But little of
importance at the Cabinet. Seward read a letter from Bigelow, Minister at
Paris, representing that indications were that Maximilian would soon leave
Mexico, — had sent to Austria considerable amounts of money, etc. Also read
extracts from a private letter of Prince de Joinville of similar purport. All
of this, I well understood, was intended to counteract a speech of Montgomery
Blair, delivered last Tuesday at Hagerstown, in which he makes an onslaught on
Seward and Stanton, as well as France.
Before we left, and
after all other matters were disposed of, the President brought from the other
room a letter from General Sheridan to General Grant, strongly indorsed by the
latter and both letter and indorsement strongly hostile to the French and
Maximilian. Seward was astounded. McCulloch at once declared that the Treasury
and the country could not stand this nor meet the exigency which another war
would produce. Harlan in a few words sustained McCulloch. Seward was garrulous.
Said if we got in war and drove out the French, we could not get out ourselves.
Went over our war with Mexico. Dennison inquired why the Monroe Doctrine could
not be asserted. Seward said if we made the threat we must be prepared to
maintain it. Dennison thought we might. “How, then,” says Seward, “will you get
your own troops out of the country after driving out the French?” “Why, march
them out,” said Dennison. “Then,” said S., “the French will return."
"We will then,” said D., “expel them again.” I remarked the country was
exhausted, as McCulloch stated, but the popular sentiment was strongly averse
to French occupancy. If the Mexicans wanted an imperial government, no one
would interfere to prevent them, though we might and would regret it, but this
conduct of the French in imposing an Austrian prince upon our neighbors was
very revolting. I hoped, however, we should not be compelled to take the
military view of this question.
Thurlow Weed passed
into the White House as I came upon the portico this morning. I had seen a
person, without recognizing that it was Weed, hurrying forward, as if to be in
advance of me. Following him immediately, I saw who it was and was surprised to
see him, instead of going direct to the stairs, turn square round the bulkhead
and wait until I had passed.
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