Mr. Murphy to Mr. Seward .
[Extract.]
The Hague, April 2, 1861.
Sir: * * * * * * * * *
I have also to acknowledge the receipt of the despatch of your predecessor, No. 37, of the 28th of February last, in relation to the so-called “Confederate States of America.” Upon receiving it I called upon the minister of foreign affairs and inquired whether any person or agent had presented himself to this government on behalf of those States; and, upon receiving an answer in the negative, I desired him, in case any person should do so, to inform me immediately, and before any action should be had to receive such representative, as I would in that case make a communication to him on the subject. He promised me that he would do so. I did not deem it necessary to be more explicit at the present time.
Since my former despatch there has been a resignation of all the members of the ministry, and a reconstruction of the cabinet. Some of the old members have been reinstated, but most of the members are new appointments. The ministry of foreign affairs has been devolved upon Baron T. P. P. de Zueglen de Nyevelt—not the late minister of the same name, though he occupied the same post a number of years since.
I have the honor to be, sir, yours respectfully,