Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry.
Sir: Your despatch of May 25 (No. 51) has been received.
It is very interesting, and the debate in the Cortes upon Mexican affairs which you have extracted for us is very instructive. Mr. Calderon Collantes appears very advantageously in that discussion. His speech is temperate and loyal, and no one can read it without being satisfied that the Spanish government has acted with eminent honor and good faith.
You may say this to Mr. Calderon Collantes, and may add that this government is very favorably impressed by the deportment of the Spanish government on this occasion.
It is not deemed necessary that beyond these assurances you should at present make or seek any further explanations at Madrid concerning the state of Mexican affairs. The President hopes that the course of events may be such as to relieve this government from further debate upon them, notwithstanding the present singular complication. Should this expectation be disappointed, we shall then have the advantage of a clear knowledge of the actual situation of that subject, which, at present, we could only anticipate, and might, by anticipating erroneously, increase, instead of preventing embarrassment.
Your assiduity and zeal in the matter are fully appreciated; Mr. Carl Schurz has resigned the mission to Spain, and entered the military service. Mr. Gustavus Koerner, of Illinois, has been appointed and has accepted the mission. I learn from him that he will not take his departure until the expiration of about six weeks.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Horatio J. Perry, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.