Mr. Seward to Mr. Marsh.

No. 50.]

Sir: Your despatch of August 5, No. 49, has been received. The statement of the condition of the Italian question which it contains is very important and interesting.

The gloom which settled upon the public mind here after the affair at Richmond has already worn off. The forces of the Union are recruiting. The call for three hundred thousand volunteers has been promptly answered, and three hundred and seventeen thousand brave and determined men are already either in the field, or on the way to it, or in camps of organization. The only question that remains about the three hundred thousand militiamen called for through the process of draft is whether that number of volunteers for the war shall be accepted in place of the militia, or whether the government shall insist upon the draft.

General McClellan having successfully withdrawn his great army from its position on the James river, is bringing it forward to unite with the army of General Pope, on the Rappahannock. The insurgents have moved [Page 576] from Richmond with their main force to destroy General Pope’s army before he could be joined by McClellan. But the juncture is at least partially effected already, while, though there has been some skirmishing, no important action has taken place.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

George P. Marsh, Esq., &c., &c., Turin.