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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow

No. 77.]

Department of State, Washington, March 23, 1865.

Sir: I have received your despatch of March 6, No. 44.

Unemployed politicians can often raise vehement disputes upon mere surmises or accidents, as they can sometimes prohibit all debate upon the most questionable measures.

The French government can very well understand that our delay in filling the legation at Paris was involuntary, because that government has really found the appointment of a minister here was a duty attended by some embarrassment.

I thank you for the information you gave me concerning the negotiations of Maximilian at Rome for a concordat.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.