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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow

No. 539.]

Department of State, Washington, October 19, 1866.

Sir: Your despatch of the 19th ultimo, No. 370, was duly received, and has been perused with much interest.

However variously the letter of the Marquis de La Valette may be construed, it may be taken, I think, by the states interested, as a sufficient guarantee of a policy of peace and good neighborhood on the part of France for the present. National and dynastic interests and ambitions so frequently change, that assurances designed to cover a distant future are seldom reliable.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

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