Page:The rise and fall of the Emperor Maximilian.djvu/276

260 of that country, as well as in the prompt and solid re-establishment of the real constitutional authority of the government.

As a part of these measures, Mr. Campbell, our newly-nominated minister, accompanied by Lieutenant-General Sherman, was sent to Mexico in order to confer with President Juarez, on questions which are of the highest interest to the United States, and of vital importance to Mexico. Our policy and measures, thus adopted in the firm conviction that the evacuation of Mexico was about to commence, have been brought to the knowledge of the French legation here, and you have doubtless fulfilled your instructions by communicating them to the emperor's government at Paris.

The emperor will see that we cannot now recall Mr. Campbell, or modify the instructions in conformity to which it was expected he would treat, and according to which he may indeed have treated with the republican government of Mexico; viz., that this government certainly very warmly desires and confidently hopes that it will see the foreign occupation immediately and definitively cease.

You will therefore inform the emperor's government that the president desires and sincerely hopes that the evacuation of Mexico will be accomplished in conformity with the existing arrangement, so far as the inopportune complication necessitating this despatch will permit. On this point Mr. Campbell will receive instructions. Instructions will also be sent to the military forces of the United States, which are placed in a post of observation, and are waiting the special orders of the president. And that this will be done with the confidence that the telegraph or the courier will bring us intelligence of a satisfactory resolution on the part of the emperor in reply to this note. You will assure the French government that the United States, in wishing to free Mexico, have nothing so much at heart as preserving peace and friendship with France.

The president has not the slightest doubt that this resolution was decided on in France without any mature reflection as to the embarrassment that it would produce here, and also without any mental reservation as to leaving the troops of the French expedition in Mexico beyond the total period of eighteen months, which was stipulated at first for the complete evacuation.