Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of circular of May 15, together with copies of two proclamations by the President.
The announcement on my part that our country is now on a peace footing, so far as regards its relations to foreign nations, drew forth from the Bey and his minister warm expressions of gratitude.
On the 23d instant Admiral Yelverton, of the British navy, arrived in the harbor with a large iron-clad war-vessel, as a special commissioner from the Queen to invest the Bey with the Order of the Bath. On the 27th instant the ceremony of investiture was performed in the hall of state at the Bardo with great pomp, and in the presence of a numerous assemblage of Tunisians and foreign officials.
To-day a camp, or army of the Bey, has arrived at the Bardo, and its officers and soldiers have received their medals of honor.
The departure of the mission for America is delayed somewhat by the tardy arrival of the English admiral with the Order of the Bath. The plan seems to be for the same envoy to thank the Queen of England for this decoration and then to proceed to America with the portrait for the President. The time for the mission to set off has not been yet definitely named, though it will probably be in the course of two or three weeks from this date.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.