[Extract.]

Mr. Pennington to Mr. Seward

No. 3.]

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,

W. S. PENNINGTON.

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,

WILLIAM S. PENNINGTON.

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,

DROUYN DE LHUYS.

Mon. W. S. Pennington, First Secretary of the Legation of the United States of America.