Mr. Moran to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of despatches from the department numbered from 1865 to 1869, both inclusive. Two of these, namely, 1868 and 1869, of the 30th ultimo, were received to-day, in consequence of the rapid run made by the Scotia, which arrived at Queenstown at an early hour yesterday morning.
The inauguration dinner, on the accession of the new lord mayor of London, took place at Guildhall last evening. Lord Derby spoke on behalf of her Majesty’s ministers, and I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of his speech, as printed in the Times of to-day. In this he very clearly intimates that a proposition for the arrangement of the differences with respect to the Alabama claims would be favorably entertained.
I also transmit copies of Blackwood’s Magazine for this month, and the Standard of the 5th instant. The old instincts of that journal crop out from the article I have marked; but the confession of wrong done the United States: by this country during the war, and the charge that the escape of the pirate Alabama was owing to the neglect of Lord Palmerston’s government to perform its duty, when reviewed in the light of Lord Derby’s speech, would seem to justify the belief that there is a growing disposition, among all classes of conservatives, to reopen the question of the claims, in order to arrive at its early and honorable settlement.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.