Office of the Historian

Mr. Schurz to Mr. Seward.

[Extract.]

No. 6.]
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, August 5, 1861.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 10, 11, 12, and 13. The exequatur for Mr. Little has immediately been applied for.

In pursuance of the instruction contained in your despatch No. 11, I addressed a note to Señor Calderon Collantes, a copy of which is hereto annexed, (No. 1.) I would have solicited an interview with the secretary for the purpose of expressing to him the satisfaction with which the proclamation of the Queen was received by the President, had he not been absent from the capital. In my despatch No. 2 I informed you that on Monday, July 15, the second day after my reception, the Queen left Madrid for Santander, and that the secretary for foreign affairs accompanied her. Sandander not being one of the regular summer residences of the Queen, the diplomatic corps remained here, with the exception of a very few members who were specially invited to join the court, probably for the purpose of discussing Neapolitan affairs. It is for this reason that I have not seen Señor Calderon Collantes since the day of my reception by the Queen. Having no business on hand which called for immediate action, I deemed it prudent to follow the example of the rest of the diplomatic corps.

The court will leave Santander on the 13th instant, and then either spend a few days at Madrid, or go directly to La Granja, where the Queen will be joined by the whole diplomatic corps.

* * * * * *

I am, sir, with high esteem, your obedient servant,

C. SCHURZ.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.

Mr. Schurz to Señor Calderon Collantes.

Legation of the United States,
Madrid, July 31, 1861.

Sir: Yesterday I received a despatch from the Secretary of State of the United States, informing me that the President has read with the greatest satisfaction the proclamation of her Catholic Majesty concerning the unfortunate troubles that have arisen in the United States, and it affords me the sincerest pleasure to express to your excellency the high sense which the [Page 271] President entertains of her Majesty’s prompt decision and friendly action upon this occasion.

In connexion with the fulfilment of this most agreeable duty, I beg leave to call your excellency’s attention to the following telegraphic report, contained in the London “Times” of July 27:

  • “Advices have been received from Havana to the 10th instant. The privateer steamer Sumter had captured eight American ships laden with sugar on the south side of Cuba. One was burnt, and the other seven were taken by prize crews into Cienfuegos. One report states that the captain general of Cuba had released them. Another report asserts that he had detained them in order to refer the matter to Madrid.”

In the latter case I trust her Majesty’s government will not hesitate to cause the policy laid down in the royal proclamation to be loyally and promptly carried into effect.

I have the honor to remain, with sentiments of distinguished consideration, your excellency’s obedient servant,

C. SCHURZ.

His Excellency Don Saturnino Calderon Collantes,
First Secretary of State, &c, &c.