Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: Your despatch No. 374 refers, among other things, to the formal correction, authorized by you, of the statement made by Mr. Roebuck in the House of Commons, that the Emperor complained of the British government having disloyally communicated to you a confidential despatch of the French government.
I read your statement to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, although it was scarcely necessary. We had heretofore talked the matter over, and the misstatement of Mr. Roebuck was well understood. What rendered this statement of that gentleman the more extraordinary is the fact that, after the most diligent search, no other despatch, as Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys informs me, can be found in the foreign office of this government to which his statement can possibly apply. And Mr. Layard, you will recollect, made a like statement as to the files in the British foreign office. Take it all in all, it was the most futile and abortive attempt to help on the recognition of the south that men in prominent position ever made. Still, that exposé in the Moniteur, to which you refer, while denying much of the statement made by these gentlemen, admits the readiness of the Emperor to follow England, if England believes that such acknowledgment of the south would end the war. * * * * * *
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.