Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry

No. 58.]

Department of State, Washington, December 31, 1864.

Sir: I have received your despatch of the 11th of December, (No. 150,) which informs me of the retirement of Mr. Llorente, and of the accession of Mr. Benavides to the office of secretary of state for foreign affairs.

Certainly we have found Mr. Llorente courteous and just in our correspondence with the government of Spain, and I shall be happy if you can properly find a way to let this acknowledgment be known to him.

I receive with pleasure the expression of good feeling which you have received from Mr. Benavides.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Horatio J. Perry, Esq., &c., &c., Madrid.