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

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.

No. 443.]

Legation of the United States, Brussels, July 31, 1867.

Sir: In my despatch of the 12th March last I gave, from what I considered an authentic source, the loss of the Belgian voluoteers in Mexico at 200. As I have since learned from good authority, the loss was 700 out of 1,700 who went there three years previous.

It may not be out of place in this connection to say that the same authority estimates the loss of the French army during the period of its intervention in Mexico at 20,000 men. And few were better able to form a correct judgment than my informant.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

H. S. SANFORD.

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