Mr. Seward to Mr. Murphy.
No. 42.]
Department of State, Washington,
October 6, 1862.
Sir: Your despatch of September 15 (No. 138) has been received. Your account of the excitement produced in Europe by the reverses to our national armies at the close of the month of August is very interesting. It is probable that the expectations of our ruin which were then so generally expressed have been somewhat modified by intelligence of later events. Great states do not often fall from their orbits, though sometimes unexpectedly an eclipse obscures them.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
W. W. Murphy, Esq., United States Consul General, Frankfort.