Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Pennington

Department of State; Washington, December 23, 1864.

Sir: I have received your despatch of the 2d instant, No. 1, announcing to this department the sudden death of the Hon. William L. Dayton, minister resident of the United States at Paris.

You are instructed to commit the archives of the legation to J. Bigelow, esq., late the United States consul at Paris, who has been appointed charge d’affaires ad interim.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

W. S. Pennington, Esq., &c., &c., &c.