Mr. Pruyn to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, immediately after the destruction of the legation buildings, I received a very kind letter from M. de Bellecourt, minister plenipotentiary of France, placing at my disposal the buildings of the French legation at Yedo; and also one from Mr. de Brandt, the consul of Prussia, offering such spare rooms as he had in his residence at Yokohama for the accommodation of any of the gentlemen attached to this legation.
I have conveyed to both these gentlemen my warm thanks, merited by these proofs of sympathy and kindness, from which I know the President will derive great satisfaction.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.