Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: It was believed that the house of representatives would be able to proceed with business on the 9th instant, the presence of M. Tesch, with that of M. Cumont, the invalid member, assuring the necessary quorum of fifty-nine and a majority of one for the government.
M. Cumont, who was to have been transported to the house on that day, was unable to be present, and the fifty-eight members separated to meet again on the 12th.
On the 10th M. Cumont died. The government is consequently left without a majority, and the house without a quorum in the absence of the conservative members. On the 12th they again came together, and, after calling the roll, the president announced that due notice would be given of the next sitting. The following day the senate, after completing the business before it, received communication of a royal decree closing the legislative session of 1863-‘64; a decree of dissolution of the house and ordering new elections will doubtless soon follow, and the canvass cannot but be a very excited one.
The government thus finds itself without the usual appropriations for the department of public works; it is the most important of all, the administration of the railroads of the state falling under this head; but I presume the public service will not be permitted to suffer, and that the cabinet will direct the usual expenditure to be made, relying upon subsequent sanction by parliament. I understand that the dissolution of the house of representatives will be announced immediately, and elections ordered for early in September. This, however, does not appear to me to be a solution of the difficulty; the elections will be closely contested, and if the conservatives come into power, it will probably be by a small majority. They will have against them the senate, where there is a “liberal” majority of six, and the only recourse would appear in such event to be a dissolution of that body, with the chances of failure to replace it by a senate having a majority of their friends.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.