Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 27th of February, No. 213.
The fleet of Admiral Goldsborpugh, to which you refer, will not find much to do in European waters except to show itself, and I hardly know at what point the show will be welcomed or useful.
From all accounts, it would appear that Annan’s iron-clads are afflicted with the weakness which besets that class of vessels, and incur great danger of going to the bottom whenever they put to sea. As blockade-breakers their occupation is gone; and for general piratical service, like that performed by the Alabama, they are not adapted.
Affairs are very quiet in Europe, with the exception of the unusual agitation of questions relating to the Catholic church, especially in regard to the present transition state of the temporal power. But there is no fear of disturbing political results, since that body is the great police agent of Europe, and is held in high estimation in its exercise of this function.
The Roman church will not fail to get a temporal protection, notwithstanding its irascible attitude, in compensation for the support it yields to dynastic rule. It is a very troublesome friend, but a still more troublesome enemy, as France especially finds.
The wonderful anomaly of an Italian priest pretending to temporal sway at home and spiritual sway all over the world is naturally productive of agitations at all times, and, it is reasonable to suppose, will continue to be so till great moral or political changes shall put an end to the absurdity. Just now it so happens that the slight danger of such a change, in the absence of more potential influences, colors European politics in a very perceptible degree.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.