Mr. Seward to Mr. Pike
Sir: Your despatch of October 28, No. 106, has been received. If I do not improve the information by comments of my own, concerning the changing aspect of European politics, which you are so faithful in giving me, you will not, therefore, conclude that the information itself is undervalued. I may perhaps, without impropriety, express an opinion that so far as the proper interests of the United States are concerned, we are witnessing rather the beginning of a dispersion than an increase of the war cloud.
The military situation here is gathering new interest. The chief theatre of the civil war is now Tennessee and Georgia; operations of great significance are going on there, and the telegraph will not improbably convey intelligence [Page 305] of results which it would, under the circumstances, be idle for me now to make a subject for speculation.
You will read with much satisfaction the account of the successful occupation of the mouth of the Rio Grande and the port of Brownsville, in Texas. I need not explain the significance of that event.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
James S. Pike, Esq., &c., &c., &c.