Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: The funeral of the late King took place on the 16th instant, amid most imposing manifestations of sorrow.
The foreign princes and extraordinary missions, sent from nearly every court of Europe to be present on this occasion, the diplomatic corps, the chambers, &c., assembled in the morning at the palace, where the body had been lying in state for the three days previous. After a funeral discourse by the King’s chaplain, they followed the remains in procession to Laeken, where, after the burial services of the Protestant church were rendered in a chapel built for the purpose, the body was removed to the vault in the Catholic church, and placed by the side of that of the late Queen.
[Page 57]The dense masses of the people crowding the streets from the palace to Laeken gave ample and touching testimony of the respect and affection in which the late King was held, and of sorrow for his loss.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.