Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry

No. 70.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of January 31, No. 161, which gives me a very clear and succinct account of a recent debate in the Spanish senate upon the ministerial project for the abandonment of the war in San Domingo. Accept my thanks for it. I see that apprehensions of possible future hostility on the part of the United States entered largely into this debate. If I had been near by I would have whispered to the statesmen of Spain that there is one national passion which the United States have not developed, and are not likely to develop as strongly as other states, namely, the passion of conquest. There is another which they cherish more than any nation, that is, the love of national unity. The latter is harmless to foreign powers, while it tends to procure domestic peace and tranquillity, always essential to the public prosperity and happiness. If, at last, Spain has been satisfied that the American Union will survive the fearful revolution by which it has so long been assailed, an official word in acknowledgment of that fact would soothe all existing asperities, and confirm in regard to her the good will and friendship which it has been your duty and mine to preserve through recent trials painful to both countries.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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