Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir: The news of the battle in which Lee’s army was defeated before Petersburg, and the subsequent entrance of our forces into Richmond, was received here, at first, with incredulity, on the 13th instant.
I had, however, a telegram from our consul at Queenstown, and immediately ordered the flag of the Union to be displayed from the balcony of the legation, in the principal street of this capital, and posted a telegram in the messenger’s room, which was then reproduced by all the evening papers. I also addressed a circular by telegraph to the consuls and consular agents in the following cities: Barcelona, Valencia, Alicant, Oarthagena, Malaga, Algeeiras, (Gibraltar,) Cadiz, Seville, Vigo, Corunna, Ferrol, Santander, and Bilbao, repeating in substance the telegram from Queenstown, as follows:
“Richmond taken—Lee’s army annihilated—the rebellion ended—praise God! Display the flag of the Union for three days over that consulate. Perry.”
The responses I have received from every quarter, some by telegram, some by letter, are heart-stirring. I sent a copy of the Queenstown telegram, confidentially, to the Duke of Valencia in a private note, also to Mr. Benavides. It was the hour when Alcalá Galiano was being publicly buried with the highest funeral honors known to such occasions in Spain. As soon as the duke returned from that ceremony he replied in the note of which I enclose a translation. The president of the council of state the Marquis of Vilenna, formerly prime minister and president of the senate, has also called on me, expressing his sincere congratulations. General Prim, Marquis of Castillejos, was among the first to call and make known his joy. General O’Donnell, Duke of Tetuan, who has just lost a brother, and, according to social custom here, makes no visits out of his own house, sought me, nevertheless, in the senate and offered his felicitations. The president of the senate, the Marquis of Duero was among the first to compliment me upon the occasion. Mr. Banuelos, sub-secretary of state, has manifested sincere satisfaction. Mr. Benavides has been impeded by illness. But they who are really and truly glad, and whose joy is visible in every feature, are the people. Sad as is their appearance in the streets of Madrid, since the events of the 10th instant, their faces light up as they gaze on the flag of the republic, and learn its meaning to-day, with an expression which no words of mine can transmit to that department, and which, nevertheless, it would be well if the department could understand.
An address to the President which I have just received from Elche (the city of the palms) is a reflex of the same light I saw on the faces of this brave people as they passed and repassed under the great flag on the 16th instant, never stopping to gather into a crowd nor make any demonstration. I beg this paper may be placed in the hands of the President, and you will find one paragraph translated, there not being time to do the whole.
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The “Comercio” of Barcelona appears in gala dress and devotes an entire page to the shout of victory! An address to the President numerously signed is being prepared, and will be sent directly from that city.
The appearance of our national colors just at the present juncture of affairs in Madrid has been rendered the more notable because they have not been seen before since 1861, when, by your order, I took charge of this legation.
The three days they have floated now amply repay me for all the sacrifices which here, as well as at home, the faithful have patiently endured.
[Page 526]I beg to congratulate you and kiss the native soil on which this great battle of humanity has been fought and won.
God’s holy name be praised!
With sentiments of the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.