Mr. Seward to Mr. Pike.

No. 81.]

Sir: Your despatch of the 3d of December (No. 67) has been received.

From some of our representatives in Europe, there continue to come such expressions of apprehension and such warnings of danger as to embarrass the President, who is disposed to take a more cheering view of our foreign relations, at this time, than he has allowed himself to indulge at any previous period since the civil war commenced.

It is earnestly hoped that your opinions in this respect, so decidedly concurring with his own, and, at the same time, so plausibly if not reasonably sustained by a survey of European politics, may be confirmed.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

James S. Pike, Esq.