Mr. Seward to Mr. Marsh

No. 77.]

Sir: Your despatch of the 6th of July (No. 73) has been received. The President expects you to express to the minister for foreign affairs the sincere satisfaction of this government with the answer which was given by him to the proposition of the British government concerning visits of the insurgent vessels in Italian ports. Their recognition of the insurgents as a belligerent was an unnecessary proceeding on the part of her Majesty’s government. It has been very injurious to the United States, white it has brought to the British nation itself only troublesome inconveniences, and requires constant efforts to prevent new and more dangerous complications.

I thank you sincerely for the report which you have furnished me of interesting judicial proceedings at Turin. Our country is now so entirely absorbed in the great internal struggle which faction has produced, that it pays little attention to events not bearing upon it, which occur in Europe.

The desire abroad for the restoration of peace here is not unnatural. But there is reason to fear that it has been perverted, so as to exact from the government a peace which it cannot grant, instead of requiring the insurgents to forego a criminal and disastrous resistance, which they cannot and ought not to maintain.

It may be hoped that events which have occurred here recently will correct European ideas in this respect.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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