Mr. Murphy to Mr. Seward.

No. 139.]

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a communication which appeared a few days ago in the Journal de Frankfort, of the 15th of September ultimo, a French paper published in this city, in favor of the Napoleonic system of government, and sustained for that purpose by French funds. The letter purports to be written from New York, and the writer is supposed to be one of the editors of the “Courrier des Etats Unis,” of New York. The letter is only of a similar character with a great many others from the same source published almost daily in that paper. Some of these letters allege, among other things, that many divisions of our army have received no pay for months; that our army is badly fed and taken care of; that Pope’s army is in a state of insubordination and demoralized; that our generals are so jealous of each other as to refuse to render assistance to either when needed, &c. Such letters contain but little truth, but they have a very injurious effect upon American stocks, of which a large amount is held in this city.

Many of the telegrams, too, which are sent from America, via Cape Race, seem to be in the secession interest, as the first news coming in that direction is also generally against the Union cause. Even such malicious telegrams as the entire and unconditional surrender of McClellan’s army, and of New Orleans, came by that route, and over Reuter’s line of telegraph, and caused great losses in stocks of our country held in Europe. I do not know that the government is [Page 1374] able to put a stop to these false telegrams, but if so, it ought to be done. It may be possible to detach Reuter’s line from the secession interest, and it ought to be done by our government.

The news of the great defeat of our army at Bull’s run, or Manassas, a second time, creates a great feeling of sadness among the Americans here. Our defeat before Richmond, in July, created great rejoicing among the numerous secessionists now living in Europe, as well as with the reactionary party generally on the continent. The friends of the Union in Germany are beginning to express doubts about our being able to crush out this rebellion. I am sorry to notice many of our Americans, travelling in Europe, are feeling in the same way, and bankers holding American securities are also getting impatient over the great delay of our army in making any progress in that respect. It is sad to think that our army is no further advanced in Virginia than it was a year ago. Generally, intelligent and highly distinguished military officers, who are watching our contest closely, and studying attentively the movements of our armies, attribute all our reverses to incompetent officers. It is to be hoped that this is not true, but that our officers are as well skilled and brave as those of the secession army.

It is thought a few more such defeats of our army, as the last two reported here, will bring about the recognition of the south.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM W. MURPHY, Consul General.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.