Mr. Seward to Mr. Fogg.

No. 26.]

Sir: Your despatch of September 4 (No. 22) has been received. Doubtless you are right in supposing that it is difficult for the truth in relation to the social condition of this country to make its way to the people [Page 1308] of Europe against the statements of an interested or prejudiced press. But the great facts, of millions of acres of unoccupied and fertile lands awaiting cultivators, and increasing demands for bread for our own growing armies, manufacturing towns, and mining districts, while there is a diversion by the hundreds of thousands of our industrial population into the occupations of war, must in the end overcome all misrepresentations and reach classes in Europe who are suffering for want of employment. It is not practically true that there is a deficiency of soldiers in the country. All the early requisitions were promptly filled. Four hundred thousand have volunteered within two months under the two last calls for an aggregate of six hundred thousand, and one month more will bring in the remainder almost without a doubt. On the other hand, those who immigrate can choose peaceful labor or military service when they arrive, as the armies are always ready for recruits to fill vacancies. I trust, therefore, that immigration will prove more rapid than you have apprehended.

The subject of favoring military immigration by offering special inducements in Europe has been often submitted to the War Department, but it has not yet thought it necessary or expedient to adopt any means of that kind.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

George G. Fogg, Esq., &c., &c., Berne.