Mr. Johnson to Mr. Seward.
Sir: * * * Nothing has occurred since I last wrote to you of any public interest, except the decision of the Paris conference, [Page 407] recently held in that city. The particulars of that decision have not as yet, I believe, been disclosed; but, from what I understand them to be, they seem to me to rest upon the same grounds upon which we have placed the Alabama claims. If I am not mistaken in this, (and I do not think I am,) neither of the governments represented at that conference, if selected as an arbitrator under our convention of the 14th instant, could fail to award in favor of the United States; and, indeed, as England was herself represented, and no doubt concurred with the conference, she may be considered as agreeing to the justice of our demand.
I have the honor to remain, with high regard, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.