Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward
Sir: In my despatch No. 3, January 19th instant, I had the honor to inform the department that the President had named the 21st instant for my official reception. Accordingly, yesterday afternoon, accompanied by two officials, I was driven in the President’s carriage to the Government House, where I was received by Señor Gregorio Arbizu, secretary of state or minister of foreign relations, (terms variously used by himself,) and by him conducted to the reception room and presented to the President, Doctor D Francisco Dueñas.
In a brief address I said to the President, in substance, that I had repeated the assurances of the letter of the President of the United States in saying that the government and the people of my country entertained cordial sentiments of sympathy and friendship for the government and people of the republic of Salvador; that we rejoiced in the evidences of their good order and tranquillity, and of their national prosperity and progress, as proofs of the beneficent fruits of free institutions and republican governments faithfully administered; that my government desires, not only to preserve the harmony and good understanding now happily subsisting, but that it looked forward to an increase of commercial intercourse and friendly relations, which could but advance the interests and happiness of both countries; that while the government of the United States, faithfully representing the views and sentiments of the people, sought amicable relations with all established governments and powers, it naturally entertained and manifested an especial interest in the prosperity and advancement of the sister republics of the American continents; that, sincerely entertaining these feelings of my government and my countrymen, I should deem myself fortunate if, during my official residence near the government of Salvador, I could succeed in giving a faithful expression to them, and in so doing be instrumental in adding strength and permanency to the friendship of the two republics.
The President, in reply, said, in substance, that the mission with which I was intrusted, and the friendly expressions of sympathy I had uttered in the name of my government, gave great satisfaction to the government of this republic. He was happy of a new opportunity, through me, to transmit to the government of North America the most ardent pledges of sincere friendship and cordial understanding; that I had come to reside near the government of a republic small in extent, but most favorably disposed towards the great republic I represented, to the example of which they owed the adoption of the republican form of government and those free institutions under which their people now lived with satisfaction. He had heard with much pleasure the desire of my government to preserve and strengthen the good relations now existing between the two republics, from which he looked for happy results for both countries. He desired me to assure my worthy President that no effort would be spared on his part to respond to his good wishes.
After some personal compliments and welcomes, the interview ended.
I was received at the Government House by a guard of honor, and in all respects by marked courtesy and respect by the officers of the government.
[Page 788]In another despatch I shall send you some extracts from the President’s message to the legislative chambers at the opening of the regular session on the 19th instant, exhibiting the commercial and financial condition of the republic during the past fiscal year.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.