[Official.]
Mr. Clay to Mr.
Seward.
No. 9.]
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburgh, Russia,
June 7, 1863.
Sir: Your despatches Nos. 9 and 10 are
received. I have the honor to enclose you Prince Gortchacow’s letter in
response to my note, and transmission of a copy of your letter to Mr.
Dayton upon Polish intervention. I have translated it from the French,
and it is here appended, marked A.
I am, very truly, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c.,
&c.
A.
[Translation.]
Reply of Prince Gortchacow to
Mr. Seward’s letter to Mr.
Dayton.
St.
Petersburgh,
May 22, (O. S.,)
1863.
Sir: I lost no time in laying before the
Emperor, my august master, the despatch which you have communicated
to me, by order of your government and which contains the answer of
Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton, relative to a recent application (demarché) of the French government upon the
subject of events in the kingdom of Poland. His Majesty the Emperor
has been sensibly (vivement) moved by the
sentiments of confidence which the government of the United States
of America places in his views and designs in regard to the general
well-being of his empire. That confidence our august master believes
he has deserved; and it is necessary to him, in order that he may
perfect what he has undertaken. It is to his Majesty a source of
sincere satisfaction to see that his persevering efforts to guide
with order and without disturbance all the parts of his empire in
the way of regular progress are justly appreciated by a nation
towards which his Majesty and the Russian people entertain the most
friendly sentiments. Such manifestations must strengthen the bonds
of mutual sympathy which unite the two countries, and constitute a
consummation which too much accords with the aspirations of the
Emperor for his Majesty not to look upon it with pleasure.
His Majesty has equally appreciated the firmness with which the
government of the United States maintains the principle of
non-intervention, the meaning of which in these days is too often
perverted; as well as the loyalty with which they refuse to impose
upon other states a rule, the violation of which, in respect to
themselves, they would not allow.
[Page 874]
The federal government gives thus an example of justice and political
probity, which must increase the esteem which our august master has
avowed towards the American nation.
Be pleased, sir, to transmit to Mr. Seward the expression of these
sentiments of his Imperial Majesty, and receive, at the same time,
the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
