Mr. Seward to Mr. Sanford.
Sir: I have your private note of the 15th of July, which, I see, is tinged with a dark hue of apprehension. With my present convictions I cannot think that any adjustment between Denmark and Germany will increase our exposure to European assaults against our independence. On the contrary, I think whatever arrangement is made, there will be new jealousies among all the principal maritime powers. The disturbances of this year adjourned to another will excite more anxiety than any present outbreak would.
I think, however, that parties in both Great Britain and France will be glad to leave foreign questions, for a time, to engage in domestic agitation. Of course, we may have disasters here, although we are not looking for them. War is war; and this is only another name for uncertainty and vicissitude. But, in any case, [Page 229] we are so well prepared for foreign intervention now, that I do not think we need to be disturbed by apprehensions of it. If I do not mistake, all the high rebel expectations of becoming a naval belligerent through the protection of Great Britain and France have collapsed.
I am not able to see how the insurrection could stand six months, even if we should not give it another effective blow.
Gold is falling; our stocks are rising; and our exports increasing now. These circumstances seem to indicate that the systematic inflation of rebel expectations which has been kept up in Europe since the opening of the campaign has failed of effect.
I will tell Mr. Fessenden what you say about smuggling, and the means of preventing it.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Henry S. Sanford, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Brussels.