ARROYO, Under Secretary of State, and of the Office of Foreign Relations to William H. Seward, July 11, 1863

Mr. Arroyo to Mr. Seward

The provisional supreme executive power has been pleased to address me the following decree:

“The provisional supreme executive power of the nation to the inhabitants thereof: Know ye, that the Assembly of Notables has thought fit to decree as follows:

“‘The Assembly of Notables, in virtue of the decree of the 16th ultimo, that it should make known the form of government which best suited the nation, in use of the full right which the nation has to constitute itself, and as its organ and interpreter, declares, with absolute liberty and independence, as follows:

“‘1. The Mexican nation adopts as its form of government a limited hereditary monarchy, with a Catholic prince.

“‘2. The sovereign shall take the title of Emperor of Mexico.

“‘3. The imperial crown of Mexico is offered to his imperial and royal highness the Prince Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, for himself and his descendants.

“‘4. If, under circumstances which cannot be foreseen, the Archduke of Austria, Ferdinand Maximilian, should not take possession of the throne which is offered to him, the Mexican nation relies on the good will of his Majesty Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, to indicate for it another Catholic prince.

“‘Given in the Hall of Sessions of the Assembly, on the 10th of July, 1863.

“‘TEODOSIO LARES, President.

“‘Alejandro Arango y Escandon, Secretary.

“‘José Maria Andrade, Secretary.’

“Therefore, let it be printed, published by national edict, and circulated, and let due fulfilment be given thereto.

“‘Given at the palace of the supreme executive power in Mexico, on the 11th of July, 1863.

“‘JUAN N. ALMONTE.

“JOSÉ MARIANO SALAS.

“JUAN B. ORMAECHEA.

“To the Under Secretary of State and of the Office of Foreign Relations.”

And I communicate it to you for your knowledge and consequent purposes.