Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part III

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

No. 481.]

Paris, June 3, 1864.

Sir: Your despatches, from No. 547 to No. 552, both inclusive, are duly received.

Your summary of our military condition, as set out in despatch No. 550, is especially interesting, conflicting, as it does, with the general accounts given in the newspapers. The newspapers all inform us that Lee is yet intrenched at Spottsylvania and north of the Po, while your despatch states explicitly that he has been driven to the south of the Po, and a portion of his defences there wrested from him. This difference is the difference between a temporary check at least and a successful advance. I await further news with the most intense anxiety.

Your despatch, No. 551, in reference to Spain and Peru, I answer specially by this mail.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WM. L. DAYTON.

Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.