Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of May 30, No. 156.
The results of the views on our financial affairs, which I had the honor to record in my last, have been since seen in the rapid fall of our government securities at Amsterdam, from about 60 to 53, in little more than a week; a point much lower than they have ever touched before.
You will have heard before this reaches you the very gratifying news of the destruction of the Alabama by the Kearsarge.
At the suggestion of Mr. Dayton, I am trying to discover what Dutch persons have been purchasing the two corvettes built at Bordeaux for the rebels.
I do not believe these vessels will ever show themselves in Dutch waters before they are armed, yet I have called the attention of the government here to the subject.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.