Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward, April 27, 1863

Mr. Dayton to Mr.
Seward

Sir: I send you herewith what, for the want of
time, I could not get ready for the last steamer, to wit, a copy of the
original memorandum handed to me by Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys in reference to
the views taken by the French government of the certificate lately given
by Mr. Adams to the Mexican agents in London. It is not signed, you will observe, and was given to me, as I have
informed you, not as a formal communication, but as mere memoranda of
conversation.

I should have added in my last despatch that Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys again
observed to me, in that conversation, that it would manifestly be bad
policy in the United States to adopt a course of action which would
identify the policy of France with that of England; that he knows there
was much exasperation of feeling in our country against England, but
that heretofore France had done nothing of which we could complain. He
assumes that they have been friendly throughout; says they have built no
Alabamas, &c.

* * * * * * * *

I am, sir, your obedient servant,