[Translation.], November 16, 1865.

[Translation.]

Your Excellency: In submitting to you the translation, here enclosed, of a despatch from our minister at Paris, addressed to the minister of foreign affairs at Washington, you will readily understand that it is not precisely an official communication that I make to you.

I await your answer to my official note of 20th October, written under special instructions from my government; meantime I make known to you what has passed.

You will understand that I have only made mention to my government of a new expedition to replace the troops which are already in Mexico. The despatch of the 20th of September, of which our minister at Paris in the beginning of the letter here enclosed and also at the end under No. 1, was of the same purport with that addressed at the same time to me, and which I communicated to you under date of the 20th October. I pray you especially to take note of the language of my government.

I should say to you that, whatever may be the reason, that which is necessary to tranquillize public opinion with us would be to learn that his Highness has been pleased to declare that he does not intend to renew the expedition of Egyptian soldiers to Mexico. A replacing would be considered as a renewal.

If you wish to make a reserve in respect of your rights in the manner of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, by saying that the expedition is not abandoned, but that in effect it will not take place in consequence of interior events in Egypt, I would be satisfied, but naturally a definitive abandonment would give us great pleasure. France, as I believe, would not make objections; with us in America it would be considered as a fresh proof of the friendship of his Highness, and by all the world it will be deemed a noble proof of his wisdom in the interests of humanity.

Provided that the service of Egyptian negroes in Mexico is not slavery, it may be admitted that it is not at all agreeable to the soldiers, as his Highness told me with all frankness possible in expressing to me his wish to change the men sent by others.

I seize this occasion to renew to you the assurance of my high consideration.