Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton.
Sir: Referring again to your despatch of August 8, (No. 182,) it seems proper that I should inform you that within the past year there has seemed to be a very decided improvement in the sentiments of the Spanish American republics towards the United States. It is needless, and would be, perhaps, unprofitable, to recite the causes which had alienated them from this country, and rendered them habitually apprehensive of ambitious and aggressive designs on our part—designs which, in any case, could be hardly more injurious to those states than to our own country. Recent correspondence of Guatemala with this government especially exhibits the change I have described. The President trusts that you will do what lies in your power to encourage the spirit which that change indicates.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton, Esq., &c., &c., &c.,