Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch (confidential) No. 192, under date of the 9th instant, touching the special mission to the United States.
This government has not been led by me to expect, and I believe does not expect, an extraordinary mission from our side in response to theirs, for I have taken care to impress upon M. Rogier the difference in our usages in this respect; but I have said, as a personal impression solely, that I presumed a suitable response would be made to this special act of courtesy on the part of the King, and that it would probably take a more formal character and channel than was usual with respect to replies to letters of notification sent through a resident legation.
The extraordinary mission has departed, and sails, as I have before reported, on the 24th instant from Liverpool. M. de Kerchove, who goes in the suite of Baron de Beaulieu, is not, it seems, officially attached to the mission, as I have been given to understand and had reported to you.
* * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.