Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward
Sir: An insurrection of a portion of the army of Spain occurred the early part of last week, as you will probably have seen by the newspapers before this reaches you. The movement, it is reported, is under the lead of General Prim, a lieutenant general of the regular army. There are various rumors afloat, and it is impossible at this time, in the absence of reliable news, to give you any definite particulars of the movements that have been made and are now taking place, further than to state generally, that Madrid remains perfectly quiet, martial law has been proclaimed here; the insurgents appear to be retreating, and the government forces pursuing. All sorts of rumors and speculations are current in this community. The best judgement I can form, from all I can see and hear, is that the government will be able speedily to triumph over the insurgents. If anything of interest in this regard should occur hereafter, to give a different aspect to affairs here, I will seize the earliest opportunity to advise you thereof.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.