Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the series of your recent instructions complete to No. 27, of September 19, including the circular, without number, of September 12.
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Your No. 27, upon the events at home, is heart-cheering. We have subsequent telegrams indicating the continued and brilliant success of General Sheridan, who has again routed the army of General Early at Strasburg, taking from him sixteen cannon. This seems to be a rapid and disorganizing pursuit at a point so vital as to be almost decisive of the fate of the campaign in Virginia. If Early cannot hold Sheridan in his victorious march up the valley toward Charlottesville and Lynchburg, it is hard for us here to see how General Lee can long avoid the necessity of evacuating Richmond and Petersburg. Whilst I wait, therefore, still more important results to come out of these events in the valley of the Shenandoah, permit me to congratulate you with all my heart upon the changed aspect of affairs so eloquently set forth in your last despatch.
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With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.