Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: In a conference had yesterday with Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys he informed me that he had submitted my application for leave to have our federal stocks quoted on the French bourse to the proper department, and that it had been refused. The reason he now assigned for the refusal was that, if it should be granted, the southern States, in their separate capacity, or as associated together for certain purposes, would probably present a like claim to have their stocks or cotton loans quoted on the French bourse, and that this would not be desirable. In reply, I told him that it was scarcely worth while for us to have any argument on the subject, inasmuch as the application by me had been personal only, and not at the instance of the government, and that, since I had made the application, I had received the copy of a communication from Mr. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, which stated that no European loan was at present thought desirable by his department. I immediately communicated the answer of Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys to Mr. Aspinwall, in London.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.