Mr. Seward to Mr. Sanford.
Sir: Your despatch of February 27 (No. 53) has been received.
You will be able to congratulate the Duke of Brabant, when he returns from Seville, upon the restoration of the public security in this country to an extent so great that we have been able to dispense with the necessity for requiring passports of foreigners visiting the United States. I regret to hear that his health has been so much impaired as to be a cause of solicitude to himself, his friends, and his country.
A general conviction prevails that the insurrection which has so deeply disturbed the peace of our country, and so singularly affected the sentiments of Europe, is approaching its end, without justifying in any degree the fears of the friends or the hopes of the enemies of the United States, and also without yielding compensation, in any way, for the evils it has inflicted at home and abroad.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
H. S. Sanford, Esq.,&c., &c., &c. Brussels.