Mr. Hale to Mr.
Seward
No. 4.]
Legation of the United States, La
Granja,
October 1, 1865.
Sir: In my last despatch, No. 3, I had the
honor to inform you that the Queen of Spain was absent from Madrid, and
was staying at her palace in this place, and that Mr. Bermudez de
Castro, minister of state, had left Madrid and had borne to the Queen my
request for an audience that I might present my credentials. In the
course of a few days, viz., on the 24th of September, I received a note
from him informing me that the Queen had been pleased to designate
Saturday, the 30th of September last, as the day she would receive me at
her palace in that place. In accordance with this arrangement, I left
Madrid on the 29th of September, in company with Mr. Perry, our
secretary of legation.
On Saturday, at three o’clock, by previous appointment, Mr. Perry and
myself repaired to the palace, and I was introduced to the Queen, and
presenting to her my letter of credence from the President, addressed
her as per copy herewith enclosed, marked A, to which the Queen replied,
as per copy herewith enclosed, marked B. As the Queen and Count will
remain here for some few weeks at least, I propose to remain here for
the present. I beg leave to add that I am under great obligations to Mr.
Perry for his constant kindness in rendering me every assistance in his
power.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H Seward, Secretary of State,
A.
Madam: In presenting this letter,
certifying that I have been appointed envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, to reside
at your Majesty’s court, I am instructed to assure your Majesty of
the sincere desire of the government and people of the United States
to confirm, establish, and perpetuate those amicable relations which
have so long and so happily subsisted between the two nations, and
that I shall best discharge the duties devolved upon me by devoting
all my energies to the attainment of so desirable an end; and if it
maybe permitted to so humble an individual as myself to mingle aught
of a personal character with the high considerations which pertain
to the progress and welfare of nations, I would add that it is
peculiarly gratifying to me to have been selected as the
representative of my government to the court of a power that was our
early and constant
[Page 564]
friend
in our first great straggle for national existence, which relations
thus auspiciously commenced have continued down to the present time
through our last great struggle, fought for constitutional
government against treason, anarchy, and rebellion.
Other nations have at times felt themselves compelled to resort to
the arbitrament of war for the settlement of their international
difficulties, hut with Spain and the United States the requirements
of reason, justice, and public law have been found sufficient for
the peaceable adjustment of any questions which may have arisen
between them.
In conclusion, permit me to express the hope that by a prompt and
careful observance of every duty and courtesy which a great nation
may expect from the representative of a friendly power, I may
succeed in rendering myself so acceptable to your Majesty that I may
in some humble degree be instrumental in promoting the peace, honor,
and welfare of both nations.
I now place the letter of the President in your Majesty’s hands, with
the expression of sincere wishes for the continued health,
happiness, and prosperity of your Majesty, and of all your royal
family
B.
Ministerial Department of
State.
Mr. Minister: I receive with satisfaction
the letter which you have just delivered to me in which the
President of the United States of America informs me that he has
appointed you his envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
near my person.
I am truly grateful for the wishes of the American government and
people to strengthen and perpetuate the bonds of friendship which
have always existed between the two nations. These wishes are also
mine; and when I consider that these relations of mutual good
feeling and friendship are already as old as the existence of the
republic, and that during this long period reason, justice, and
right have proved sufficient to give a peaceful solution to all
questions between the two nations, I cannot do less than cherish the
pleasing hope that the two nations are destined by Providence to be
perpetual friends and allies.
I beg you, Mr. Minister, to be the interpreter of these my sentiments
to the President of the republic, assuring him with how great
satisfaction I have seen the termination of the terrible struggle
which the American people have sustained with glory, and how sincere
is my desire that the peace now happily established may completely
efface the footmarks of the past contest.
As to yourself, Mr. Minister, be assured that the choice which the
President has made of your person to reside at my court is very
pleasing to me.
The manifestations which you have made, and the expressions you have
addressed to me, cause me to expect with confidence that during your
mission, and with the loyal co-operation of my government, the ties
of amity which unite the two peoples will, if possible, be still
further strengthened,
