Mr. Bigelow to Mr. Seward
Sir: You will not fail to remark that the European press has been much occupied for the last few days with a report, put in circulation by a London print, that a new movement was on foot among the leading powers to bring about a European congress. A few days since I casually referred to this subject in a conversation with Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys, and asked if there was anything in it. He said, nothing at all—no more than in the report of the Anglo-French alliance against us. He, however, went on to say that he advised the Emperor originally to propose the congress, though he knew it would then be rejected. He thinks it will one day be accepted, and hopes that day may come as speedily as possible. France, however, he said, has not renewed and will not renew the proposal, but will wait till it comes from the other powers.
My impression is, that this discussion has been opened by parties desirous of sounding public opinion again upon the subject, and of leading it to a congress, which is coming to be regarded more and more as the only escape for most of the European states from impending bankruptcy and a general war, which would either precede or follow such a crisis.
La France, which passes for a sort of organ of the Foreign Office here, contradicted the report of the London paper, that M. Drouyn de Lhuys had been corresponding again on the subject of a congress, and last evening it published the following paragraph:
“The International, outbidding the Pall Mall, of London, the Cologne Gazette and the North German Gazette, pretends that Earl Russell would now be favorable to a congress, provided the United States would consent to send a delegate, and that the congress should sit in London.
“The information of the International is no more correct than that of the other journals above mentioned; and we certify anew that there has not been recently any exchange of communications between the great powers in relation to a European congress.”
I am, sir, with great respect, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.