Mr. Seward to Mr. Sanford
Sir: Your despatches of August 6 (No. 139) and August 11 (No. 140) have been received.
Your proceedings in regard to William Cornell Jewett are approved. If Mr. Rogier has reason to regret the want of consideration towards the United States, which he manifested in giving audience to an adventurer, and introducing him to his Majesty the King, we have equal reason to regret that a citizen of the United States has not made a better return for the hospitalities thus undeservedly conferred upon him. Both parties, however, may derive some comfort from the fact, that, in revolutionary times like these, volunteer diplomatists are furnished by other countries than our own, and are entertained at other courts, as well as that of Belgium, with results certainly as embarrassing as any that have thus far attended the self-appointed missions of American mediators. For my own part, I have from the first, with the authority of the President, thought it wise to shut out from all audience unaccredited agents of friendly nations, and hold no intercourse with subjects of foreign powers without frankly making it known to the proper governments.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Henry S. Sanford, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Brussels.