Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Fortieth Congress

Mr. Fox to Mr. Seward

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, December, 17, 1866.

Sir: Having returned from my visit to Russia on the 13th instant, I discharge a duty by enclosing to you herewith the following papers introductory— a memorandum of papers in Russian:

1. Autograph letter of Peter the Great.

2. A poem by Derschavin, a lyric poet of the time of Catherine II, with autographic corrections and remarks.

3. An autographic poem of Puschkin.

4. A letter of Schukowsky, Governor of Alexander II.

5. A fragment, autographic, of Gogol

6. The First Snow, a poem by Countess Rostopchine, (autographic.)

7. A fac simile from the Russian history of Karamzin; and,

8. An autographic remark by Schafarik.

I received these, last August, from Mr. Pogodin, a distinguished citizen of Moscow who requested me to present them to some national institute, or museum, in Washington. I ask you to acknowledge their receipt, and give such direction to them as in your judgment shall best fulfil the wishes of the donor.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

G. Y. FOX, Late Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

Hon William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washinglon, D. C.