Mr. Fogg to Mr. Seward
Sir:
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The Swiss national assembly has just adjourned, after a busy, but generally harmonious, session of three weeks. As was expected, all the members of the federal council, with the exception of Mr. Staempfli, who is replaced by Mr. Schenk, of Berne, were re-elected for the ensuing three years.
Subsequently, from this federal council of seven, the two houses, in joint ballot, elected Hon. Jacob Dubs, of the canton of Zurich, president of the confederation, and Hon. Carl Schenk, of the canton of Berne, vice-president for the year 1864. Mr. Dubs, who is the present vice-president, is a gentleman [Page 391] of large public experience, a highly cultivated mind, moderately, but earnestly liberal in his views, and thoroughly sympathizing with the efforts, principles, and purposes of the government of the United States in its struggle for the suppression of the first great popular rebellion against popular government.
As an indication of the temper of public opinion in Switzerland, it will not be without interest to the President, as well as to yourself, to be informed that the late national assembly before its adjournment passed resolutions, with almost absolute unanimity, in strong disapproval of the system of human slavery, and that with direct and special reference to the attempt now making in America to lay the corner stone of a new nationality on that institution.
With sincere regard and the highest respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States of America.