Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I deem it proper to mention to you that being in Paris on the 6th instant, when the attempt was made to assassinate the Emperor of Russia, I called the following day before leaving upon Prince Orloff, the Russian minister here, who was also in Paris and in attendance upon his Majesty, to offer my congratulations upon his escape, and, as the prince was out, I wrote a few lines to him expressive of my feeling on the occasion.
The Emperor sent Prince Orloff to my lodgings next morning—to-day—to thank me in his name for my congratulations, and to express the gratification which, as he said, my note had given to his Majesty; and, as I had already left town, he telegraphed to the Russian legation here, instructing the chargé d’ affaires to transmit to me the message of the Emperor.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.