Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 15th of February, No. 276, and I approve of the manner in which you have executed my instruction, No. 336. I feel, as Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys seems to feel, that it is a painful thing to contemplate even the possible occurrence of war between our country and France. Let us hope that the negotiations in which we are engaged will remove the ground for such apprehension. Should this hope fail, you may in your discretion revert to the matter of our special arrangement respecting postal steamers.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Bigelow, Esq., &c.