Office of the Historian

Lord Stanley to Mr. Ford

Foreign Office, London, October 12, 1867.

Sir: I have received your despatch No. 1 of the 23d ultimo, confirming the melancholy news which you had previously conveyed to me by telegraph of the death of Sir Frederick Bruce.

I have already in reply to your telegram directed you to convey to the government of the United States the, acknowledgments of her Majesty’s government for the expressions of sympathy with which the United States legation in this country was instructed to communicate to her Majesty’s government the intelligence of this sad event; but I am glad to avail myself of the opportunity afforded me, in acknowledging the receipt of your despatch, to repeat my instruction and to desire you to make known to Mr. Seward, and if you have an opportunity of doing so, directly to the President, the high value set by her Majesty’s government on the kindly feelings which they have shown on this occasion and on the general concern manifested by the public in the United States for the severe loss which her Majesty has sustained by the death of her able and faithful servant.

Her Majesty’s government are glad to recognize in the feelings which this event has called forth the regard felt by the government and people of the United States not only for the person and character of the deceased minister but also for the country which he so ably represented and whose policy and wishes he so effectually carried out in cultivating the friendship and good will of those among whom he was commissioned by her Majesty to dwell.

But not only to the government and people of the United States generally are the acknowledgments of her Majesty’s government due. They have their special thanks to render, of which they desire you to be the organ, to Mr. Gilpin, the gentleman who so considerately accompanied Sir Frederick Bruce from Narragansett to Boston, and to the numerous gentlemen at Boston whose kindness towards the deceased during the short period which intervened between his arrival at Boston and his death, and whose attendance at the funeral ceremonies with which his remains were honored before their departure from the United States entitle them to their warmest acknowledgments. To Mr. Sumner, to the governor of Massachusetts, and to the mayor of Boston and other distinguished persons in that city, to the physicians, clergy, and others who did honor to the remains of the Queen’s late minister, her Majesty’s government are sincerely grateful, [Page 207] and you will make known to them their gratitude in such a manner as you may deem most becoming, and best calculated to assure them how deeply it is felt.

I am, &c,

STANLEY.

Frangís Clare Ford, Esq., &c., &c., &c.