Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward.
[Extracts.]
The Hague, July 4, 1861.
Sir: Referring to your last despatch, in which you say “the government has little time to think of its foreign relations, and when it does think of them, it is chiefly to consider how and in what way it can most effectually counteract the efforts of the revolutionists to procure European intervention in their favor,” I beg to observe that within my circle of observation I find no occasion to change the opinion I have heretofore expressed in regard to the general good dispositions of the European governments towards that of the United States.
That there is any feeling of active sympathy, I should fear to allege. Every nation has its own peculiar, and to itself, important cares and difficulties, and each devotes the most of its time and attentions to these, caring comparatively little for those of others except so for as they affect their own. The domestic disturbances of a country three thousand miles away is thus regarded with a philosophic equanimity, and I think I may say with very great indifference except in respect to the commercial bearing of the events occurring there. But if little especial sympathy is felt for the United States government, still less is felt for the insurgents, whose revolt is seen to have caused the dire calamities now existing. So that we may still be allowed to claim a balance in our favor of the good wishes of European governments.
The revolutionary state of things in the United States has been, and is being very generally and thoroughly discussed in European journals, and all such discussion favors, of necessity, the cause of the government. This is especially true of the discussions in the German publications.
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In Germany, where discussion always partakes more of an absolute nature than anywhere else, from causes not necessary to delineate here, American affairs are more justly and comprehensively handled, and being more completely divested of their transitory features, results as I have stated.
On the whole, I think our government and the people it represents have not, thus far, any adequate cause to complain of the attitude of European governments, or the state of European opinion, toward them. The insurgents are nowhere in favor, and certainly have not received so much toleration and encouragement in Europe as was extended to them by a portion of [Page 356] our own press and by the administration of Mr. Buchanan, previous to the breaking out of the war. * * * * *
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We all feel the deepest interest in the progress of events at home, and the utmost solicitude to do on this side of the Atlantic whatever is possible to further the ideas and purposes of our government. For my own part I am most anxious to go wherever, and to do whatever, I can to promote the designs and aid the labors of the administration in the great work devolved upon them.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.