Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have received from Mr. Adams, at London, a copy of despatch No. 1,226, addressed to him in cipher. On Thursday last I found what seemed to be a suitable opportunity to inquire of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys whether any person had brought to him any proposals of the nature of those alluded to in your despatch. He very promptly replied, that not only no person had brought any, but he had never received any intimation from any one, orally or in writing, that any such step was in contemplation. He extended the range of his remark by adding that he had no reason to suppose that any such proposals had been made to any one else, referring, as I supposed, to his sovereign. He had read something of the kind in a newspaper, but that was the source of all he knew upon the subject. His reply would have surprised me if it had differed much from this, for I do not think the insurgents could now get any responsible statesman here to listen to such a proposition, or any other that risked a quarrel with the United States. The south has no friends in Europe now worth naming, though the north, I am sorry to say, has a great many enemies. It is, however, perhaps rather a matter of pride than regret to us, when we reflect how she has incurred them.
The current impression in all quarters here is that our war is drawing to a close, and that the Union is to be preserved. It was proposed in the board of direction of the Bank of France last week, a few days since, to lower the rate of discount from 4 1/2 to 4 per cent. One of the directors objected. He said there was every reason to anticipate an early termination of the war in America, in which case an advance in the rates of the bank will become necessary. For his part he would deem it more prudent now to put the rate at 5 than at 4 per cent. The result was that the old rate of 4 1/2 per cent, was continued.
You have doubtless remarked another circumstance equally significant of the change which public opinion has undergone in Europe within a few months. Formerly federal successes advanced the price of cotton at Liverpool; for some time past they have had precisely the contrary effect.
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.,