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One important point was omitted, namely, how long the fidelity of a foreign legion employed in America in such a cause can be depended upon. It will be seen, I think, in the end, that European soldiers coming hither ultimately become American republicans.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HENRY S. SANFORD, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Brussels.

F. W. SEWARD.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Sanford.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, October 4, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 15th of September, No. 215, which mentions a probability that a special and extraordinary mission will be sent by the Belgian government to the so-called Imperial government in Mexico. I have also received your private note, which mentions that Mr. Blondeel von Cuelebroeck, now minister plenipotentiary here, will likely be appointed to fill that extraordinary mission.

This government can have no right to question such a proceeding by the Belgian government, but it is easy to perceive that if the representative of Belgium shall be sent to Mexico to recognize a foreign imperial revolutionary government there, while the United States remain in treaty relations with the native republican government still existing in Mexico, and if that representative should, immediately after performing that function, be returned to the United States to renew his mission here, the transaction would then be liable to popular misapprehension, which, even though it should not impair his usefulness, might at least render his residence less agreeable than it is to be desired. You may verbally and unofficially suggest these considerations to Mr. Rogier for his reflection.

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SIR: Your despatch of the 3d instant, No. 225, has been received. The report by the minister of finance which accompanies it, and which gives a statement of the commerce of Belgium with foreign countries, the features of which are presented in your despatch, affords gratifying evidence of the steadily increasing prosperity of Belgium. I have submitted your despatch and its accompaniments for perusal to the Secretary of the Treasury.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HENRY L. SANFORD, Esq., &c., &c., &c.,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Brussels.

No. 161.]

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

Legation of the United States,
Brussels, November 19, 1863.

SIR: I have reason to believe that Belgium will accept the invitation of the Emperor of the French to take part in the proposed congress of European powers, but will probably wait upon the action of the majority of the other powers before giving in its adhesion. It is a position of some embarrassment to conciliate the role of a neutral power with participation in such a congress, and the recognition of Victor Emanuel as king of Italy by this government, when other European powers had refused, would seem to have been construed as an abandonment in fact, if not in theory, of the position of neutrality.

The announcement in the Emperor's discourse from the throne, that the treaties of Vienna had ceased to exist, seems to have excited susceptibilities on the part of other powers, which have caused further explanations to be made, modifying very materially its bearing as applied to other states.

A circular to this effect has, I am informed, been received here to-day at the French legation.

Italy, Spain, Portugal, Rome, Wurtemburg, and Saxony seem to be, thus far, the only powers which have adhered to the proposition for a congress. That the principle will be generally accepted, but that the difficulty will be to come to an agreement as to its functions, seems to be the general opinion here in political circles; and also, that if the congress only meets, that fact, as annulling, ipso facto, the outlawry of the Bonapartes by the congress of Vienna, will be a great gain for the Napoleonic dynasty.

This subject naturally excites great attention, solicitude, even, here, as a symptom of, if not a remedy for, the gravity of the political situation in Europe. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant, H. S. SANFORD.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

No. 163.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Brussels, November 23, 1863.

SIR: I learn that the reply of the King to the invitation of Napoleon III, touching the European congress, was despatched on the 21st instant to be delivered on yesterday to the Emperor. I have reason to believe that it expresses his willingness to unite with other powers for an object so meritorious as that indicated the assurance of European peace. It would seem, at this moment, that the Netherlands and Turkey are the only two powers that have not replied, and in accepting the principle of a congress, there seems to be no doubt as to their replies. It is very much to be doubted, however, whether there will be the same unanimity when the questions for the decision of the congress shall come to be decided upon, and, indeed, I think there is good reason to imagine that the preliminary conference for that purpose will be the extent to which the scheme of a congress will be realized. It will, in any event, have served its purpose vis a vis to the French Chambers and people. The complications with respect to Schleswig-Holstein, which have been aggravated by the death of the King of Denmark, have come very opportunely in aid of the proposition for a congress, and give an apt reply to the objections raised against it. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant, H. S. SANFORD.

Hon WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

No. 174.1

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Brussels, January 7, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to enclose, as of interest in connexion with American art, a copy of a letter of the minister of the interior in recognition of the appearance at the late annual Art Exhibition of Belgium of several works of merit by our countrymen. I also transmit copy of my reply.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

[Translation.]

H. S. SANFORD.

BRUSSELS, December 31, 1863.

SIR: Amid the rewards and honorary distinctions awarded at the close of the general exhibition of fine arts of 1863 are six which have fallen to French artists, three to German artists, and two to artists of the Netherlands.

If it was not accorded to the government of the King to have the satisfaction of being able to include in this distribution one or two of those of your national artists who took part in the exhibition, it is not because the very real merit of their works was not fully appreciated.

It is to be regretted that the jury on rewards, in derogation of constant usage, abstained this time from addressing to the government a report containing a methodical and deliberate review of the whole exhibition, for, in the other case, it would have been a duty, according to assurances given to me on the subject, to have pointed out in this work, which would have received official publicity, the important significance which we were gratified to recognize in those productions at the exhibition forming the contingent from the artists of the North American United States.

I am glad that I may hope, sir, that, thanks to your kind offices, your national artists will continue by the concurrence of their talents to heighten the brilliancy and interests of our great public exhibitions of the fine arts; they will there always meet with a sympathetic reception and just appreciation.

I embrace with eagerness this occasion to offer to you the personal assurance of my sentiments of high consideration.

Mr. SANFORD,

ALP VAN DEN PEEREBOOM,
Minister of the Interior.

Minister Resident of the U. S. of North America, Brussels.

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Van den Peereboom.
[Translation.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Brussels, January 7, 1864.

Monsieur LE MINISTRE: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of your excellency under date of 31st ultimo.

I am happy to learn that the first appearance of works of American artists in a Belgian art exhibition has attracted the enlightened attention of your excellency, and of Belgian connoisseurs, and that under other circumstances an appreciation would have been evidenced in a more marked manner.

These relations of art cannot but be a means of drawing more closely the

bonds of friendship between the two countries, and, on my side, I shall be happy to contribute to them so far as lies in my power, being moreover convinced, by the commencement of an experiment of this year, that my countrymen may without apprehension take a place in the art exhibitions of Belgium.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

H. S. SANFORD.

No. 176.]

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Brussels, January 7, 1864.

SIR: The usual official reception by the King on the 1st of January, which for the past two years had been suspended on account of his sickness, did not take place this year, and, owing to slight indisposition, the King did not appear at the ball given at the palace yesterday. I have nothing, therefore, to report in this connexion.

Since my last despatch the house of representatives, after annulling the election at Bruges and providing for the levying of taxes for the coming year, adjourned over the holidays. Since coming together again on the 5th instant it has been occupied with the discussion of the "projet" of address in reply to the discourse of the King on opening the legislative session. The debates are characterized by a good deal of acrimony. The political divisions of the country seem to become more and more sharply marked, and party spirit, as this divergence increases, to become more envenomed.

The new elections at Bruges take place on the 12th; should, as it is possible, the conservative party carry them, the cabinet will be left in a majority of two, will hardly be able to carry on the government, and will probably resign.

The conservative party, as such, could not form a cabinet capable of sustaining itself. Under these circumstances, and in the event of the resignation of those now in power, a "business" cabinet would probably be formed, if a certain number of the liberal party could be found to support it, (which, with the present bitterness of feeling between the parties, I think not very likely,) or Parliament would be dissolved and recourse had to new elections.

The message of the President has been very favorably received by the press and the public generally. The evidences of strength, public confidence, credit, and a resolution to put down, at any cost, the rebellion, which the message and accompanying documents furnish, seem to shake the faith of those heretofore the most incredulous as to the ultimate restoration of the authority of the government over the whole territory of the United States.

The change in public sentiment within the past five weeks with regard to the war, and its final result, has been as satisfactory as it has been great. The cause of the rebellion seems to be considered as hopeless, even by that class whose interests or whose instincts have caused them to sympathize with it; and to the reproach which remained of seeking the subjugation or extermination of those in arms against the government, has come, very opportunely in reply, the proclamation of the President. I regret not to have had the opportunity, on the new year, to have learned the views of the King on this subject. You will remember the hope expressed to me by his Majesty, in conversation the past summer, that the occasion would be afforded to the people in rebellion to come back to their allegiance through concessions which should give them a means of return short of compulsion at the point of the sword or humiliating exactions. I count upon having an opportunity of conversation with his Majesty on this subject at an early day.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
H. S. SANFORD.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

No. 177.]

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Brussels, January 14, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith some data I have collected with regard to the recruiting system in this country, and with especial reference to cases of exemptions, as likely to be of use at this moment when our law on the subject is being revised.

I have thought that, in this connexion, some details touching the systems of France and Prussia, and their workings, would not be without interest and perhaps value, and have accordingly included them in the accompanying paper. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant, H. S. SANFORD.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.

SYSTEM OF RECRUITING IN BELGIUM.

The present legislation on the military service in Belgium, which is based on the law of the 8th January, 1817, consists in no less than twelve laws, besides numerous royal decrees and a large number of administrative regulations. The consequence is that it is far from being as clear as might be desired, and meets with great difficulties in its application.

On the other hand, reforms having been loudly called for, the government, after taking the opinion of a special committee, has brought forward a bill, of which a copy is herewith annexed, revising the laws relative to military service. In this bill the existing fundamental principles have been maintained, a long experience having proved their superiority over all other systems recommended. In summing up the provisions of the law now in vigor, the alterations introduced by the bill referred to will be vindicated.

The Belgian army is recruited by drafts and voluntary enlistments; it consists

1st. Of the effective force maintained under arms.

2d. Of the men who are left at or sent home on furlough.

By the terms of article 119 of the constitution the contingent of the army is voted annually by the Chambers; the law which regulates it is in force for one year only.*

The contingent of the army is fixed at S0,000 men, but the effective force at present, as stated in the budget, amounts only to 35,000 men, 11,000 of whom are volunteers and 24,000 conscripts. They early contingent of the levy has been fixed for upwards of twenty years at a maximum of 10,000 men.†

The contingent is furnished by drawing by lots from among all young men, Belgians, married or unmarried, who on the 1st of January of each year have attained their nineteenth year. All foreigners who have attained their naturalization before accomplishing their twenty-sixth year are subject to the

* The intention of Congress was to establish a force in proportion to the necessities of the country, to prevent the arbitrary exercise of power on the part of the administration, and to avoid the danger to which a numerous army in time of peace might give rise.

Had the contingent of the army followed the same progressive increase as the population it would now amount to 12,200 men. The population of Belgium, which in 1836 amounted to 3,785,814 inhabitants, was in 1859 4,623,089.

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