Mr. Seward to Mr. Fogg.
Sir: Your suggestive despatches of January 24 (No. 30) and January 31 (No. 31) have been submitted to the President. In answer I am instructed to say that, while this government is watchful in its foreign relations, and constantly endeavors by practicing prudence and forbearance, as well as strict justice, in its intercourse with other States, to avert hostilities in every quarter, it is at the same time not seriously apprehending any immediate collision. It is true that a nation which surrenders itself to the evils of sedition is always exposed, and it is true also that many other nations suffer only less than we do ourselves in the calamities of our civil war. But the question of intervening in our affairs must be, even in such circumstances, a practical one, and it is not seen how any one of the maritime powers could hope to derive advantages from such an enterprise, or even escape hazards, not unworthy of serious consideration. It is only just to these powers to add, that their correspondence with this government is altogether so cordial and friendly as to leave us no grounds to apprehend any injurious designs on their part.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
George G. Fogg, Esq., &c., &c., Berne.