Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: A royal decree, under date of 30th ultimo, preceded by a report from the minister of the interior, appears in the Moniteur of the 5th instant, which, “considering it useful that a certain number of artisans, foremen, and workmen d’elite should be enabled to visit the International Exhibition at Paris,” pro-vides for a maximum subsidy of 100 francs, ($20,) each, from the credit granted for the Exhibition, the 6th March, 1866, to enable 300 to go there, the choice to be made by the chambers of commerce and town councils. A large sum additional has also been raised, mainly by the towns, so that over 600 of the best workmen of Belgium will be enabled to study with profit those parts of the Exhibition which concern the branches of industry to which they belong.
Belgium is not alone in thus seeking to gather at the Universal Exhibition practical results for the benefit of her manufactures and sources of industry. Other States are also sending workmen there.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.