Mr. Clay to Mr. Seward
Sir: Your despatch No. 116 and circular No. 205 are received. The execution of your despatch No. 112 being left to my discretion, I refrained from making a formal invitation to the Grand Duke Constantine through the usual channel, the foreign department, thinking it best to communicate directly with himself. So last night, at a ball at the Winter Palace, I told him that our government had desired me to say that it would be agreeable to them to have him visit the United States for a few months—see our country and our people. That we understood the course he had taken in the liberal reforms of Russia; and whilst we were ready to honor all of the imperial family, yet there seemed to be espe-cial propriety in selecting him as the nation’s guest. That he could dictate the terms of the invitation, could make it more formal, or come apparently of his own motion; but that in either case we would give him such an ovation as had not often been seen since the fall of the Roman empire.
[Page 368]His Imperial Highness seemed much gratified at our good will. He said, “Nothing would give him more pleasure than to visit America; that he had always desired to see it; that it had been the intention of his father, the Emperor Nicholas, to send him there, but that he had unfortunately married at about the age of nineteen years; that a man should never marry till he was twenty-five or thirty; that even now he should be glad to carry out his original design, but he had lately been appointed the president of the council of the empire, the duties of which were important just now; and he could not possibly be absent. He thanked me and the government for our kindness, and expressed again his regret at not being able to accept our hospitality.” I urged him not to decide at once, but to take time for consideration. He replied, “he could not now alter his resolve; but that he would not abandon forever the hope of yet seeing our country, and examining our navy for himself.”
During the same evening his Imperial Majesty said to me that his brother had advised him of our conversation, and that he desired to return me his thanks for my amiable intentions towards his family. I replied that the government had left it to my discretion how to deliver their invitation; and that I had thought it best to communicate directly with his imperial brother. He said I was quite right; but as the grand duke had been made president of the council, it was impossible now to spare his services.
So at present we must rest content with the result. I am convinced, however, that the compliment is duly appreciated, and will forward that good understanding between us, which seems to be more and more confirmed each year of my sojourn at this court.
Mr. J. Curtin was presented to his Imperial Majesty on the first of January, 1865, O. S., and addressed him in the Russian language. To this fact, so rare here, the Emperor alluded last night, and said Mr. Curtin pronounced Russian like a native. Such compliments to Russian nationality, which is very intense, are not unappreciated here by the Emperor or the people.
I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.