Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin.
Sir: Your despatch of April 16 (No. 21) has been received. It is accompanied by a treaty with the republic of Mexico, which you have signed, and which provides for a loan to be made by the United States to that republic, and also by a second treaty which you have signed, and which is designed to perfect the details of the first-mentioned treaty.
At the same time we receive intelligence of a new and important complication of affairs in Mexico, but which is, as yet, so imperfectly developed that it is impossible to determine here what may be the condition of the government and of the republic itself at the present moment. While this uncertainty continues the President is satisfied that, whatever might be his own judgment concerning the treaties you have negotiated, there would be little prospect of obtaining for them the approval of the Senate, which the Constitution prescribes as a necessary condition to his ratification. Just at this moment, also, the government and the country are intently occupied with impending military events, which it is hoped may decide the fate of an attempted revolution, which, if it could be successful, must be regarded as pregnant with confusion, anarchy, and ruin to the whole continent. Under these circumstances the President reserves the consideration of the two treaties for a period more favorable to an intelligent and careful view of the mutual interests of the two countries.
If the wisdom of this reservation were at all uncertain, the doubt would have disappeared in view of the fact that both Mr. Romero, the very enlightened and judicious Mexican charge here, and Mr. Allen, your messenger, who seems deeply interested in the approval of the treaties, arrived at the conclusion that it would be inexpedient to press their consideration, even before either of the persons had held any conversation with myself or any person connected with the executive department.
The delay, however, need not prevent you from assuring the government of Mexico of the sincere desire of the President for a favorable solution of the existing difficulties, and for the safety and welfare of that republic.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Thomas Corwin, Esq., &c, &c., &c.