[Extract.]
Mr. Pennington to Mr. Seward
No. 3.]
Legation of the United States,
Paris,
December 7, 1864.
SIR: I promptly announced to the minister of
foreign affairs the death of the Hon. Mr. Dayton, and I have received a
reply to my communication. I herewith [Page 201] enclose a copy of my note, and the minister’s
reply. I am sure the department will be gratified to read this
testimonial of the Emperor’s government of the high consideration in
which the late minister of the United States was held, as well as the
kind terms in which the minister of foreign affairs has been pleased to
express his personal affliction.
* * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. SewArd,
Secretary of State,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Pennington to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys.
Monsieur le Ministre: I have to communicate
to your excellency the painful intelligence of the death of the Hon.
William L. Dayton, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
of the United States in France. This event occurred last evening at
nine o’clock, after an illness of a few minutes.
I have the honor to present to your excellency assurances of my high
consideration.
Your obedient servant, &c,
M. Drouyn de Lhuys,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris.
[Translation.]
Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to Mr. Pennington
Sir: The information which you have done me
the honor to communicate to me, of the decease of the Hon. William
L. Dayton, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the
United States of America at Paris, has caused me a keen and deep
affliction. I hastened to inform the Emperor of the sad event, which
nothing could have foreseen. His Majesty has felt it only the more
since he bore a particular esteem for this minister. For my part, I
have been able to appreciate personally the qualities, the talents,
and the experience of Mr. Dayton, and I make it a duty to express
here the sincere regrets which his loss has caused.
Receive, sir, the assurances of the most distinguished consideration
with which I have the honor to be, your very humble and very
obedient servant,
Mon. W. S. Pennington,
First Secretary of the Legation of the United
States of America.