Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: It is my unhappy duty to inform you that my late residence in this city was wholly burned on the night of the 25th instant. The work of the destroying element, which originated in accident, was so rapid, that almost the entire personal effects of myself and family, and all the books and papers of the legation, were destroyed. The loss of my library, and our clothing and plate, coming so soon after the almost complete destruction of our goods by shipwreck, on our first attempt to reach my post of duty, bears heavily upon us; the more so, as it is both difficult and expensive to replace our lost goods here.
But hardly less affliçtive is the destruction of the correspondence and records of the legation. Considerable inconvenience may result to some parties from the loss; but I shall make every endeavor to repair the damage by the renewal in every possible case of the records.
I had brought the books and papers to my house, partly to secure them against the fires to which the quarter of the city in which my town office is located is subject. My care, as the event shows, was only a damage.
I shall perhaps take the liberty to call the attention of the department in a later despatch to the desirableness of having some provision made for the permanent keeping and security of the papers of the legation.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.