I transmit, herewith, a copy of my note on the subject. His Majesty’s
government had already been made acquainted with our policy and purpose
in regard to foreign intervention, both by the views which I took
occasion to present when first entering upon the duties of this mission,
in connexion with the royal proclamation against piratical cruisers, and
subsequently by your own able and exhaustive instructions, which were
communicated in substance.
The resolutions in Congress would seem to be intended mainly to indorse
and emphasize the previous action of the Executive. In that respect they
give force to the declarations of the government, by exhibiting a full
accord and unity of purpose among its several departments.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Mr. Harvey to the Duke de Soulé.
Legation of the United
States, Lisbon,
April 9, 1863.
Sir: I am instructed to lay before the
government of his Most Faithful Majesty a copy of concurrent
resolutions of the Congress of the United States concerning foreign
intervention in the rebellion which now unhappily disturbs the peace
of the Union, and which, in a greater or less degree, affects its
intercourse and commerce with other nations.
These resolutions affirm and emphasize the policy and principles
which had been already announced by the executive department of the
government; and they may also be regarded as a reflection of the
popular will, expressed through the national Congress.
Non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other nations is an
honored and traditional policy, which the government of the United
States has consistently and faithfully observed, even at times and
under circumstances that justly excited the generous sympathy of its
people, and when any active interference, responsive to that
sentiment, might have given a direction to it, if not have
determined great events.
Having thus uprightly practiced its professions of non-intervention
towards others, it may be readily assumed that the government of the
United States could not consent to accept the mediation, or to
tolerate the interference of foreign powers, in a question which,
first of all, concerns the exercise of its own authority, the
administration of its own laws, the preservation of its peace, and
the conduct of its internal affairs.
If there be one subject more than another upon which the feeling, the
heart, and the determination of the people of the United States are
united and welded together as in one mighty will, it is to terminate
the evil strife
[Page 1303]
which
now disturbs the public tranquillity with their own strong arms, and
without any foreign interference whatever, whether under the form of
mediation or of intrusive intervention.
While the government of the United States has accepted at their full
value the friendly protestations which accompanied certain well
known offers of mediation, it was constrained to decline them, as
being inconsistent with both its policy in the past, and with its
purpose in the future. And this decision may be considered as
conclusive upon a subject which has occupied a full share of the
attention of public men in Europe, and sometimes to the exclusion of
affairs and agitations within a nearer range of view, which more
specially affected their direct interests, and more naturally
addressed their benevolent sympathies.
It is the earnest and sincere desire of the government which I have
the honor to represent, not only to preserve peace, but to cultivate
the most liberal and friendly terms of intercourse with ail nations,
to bind more closely together those which already exist, and to
strengthen them with new ties of amity and of enlarged commerce.
Interest alone would advise such a policy, if a higher sense of duty
did not solemnly enjoin it.
Hence, in advising foreign powers that no form of interference can be
admitted, the government of the United States is animated by a
desire to prevent all misconception, to the end that the civil
strife may thus be deprived of a support upon which its chiefs have
long leaned, and that the sad consequences which such a war
inflicts, directly and indirectly, may be arrested by its speedy
conclusion.
I avail myself of this opportunity to repeat the assurances of my
highest respect and consideration.
His Excellency the Duke de Soulé, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
