Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the satisfaction of informing you that last week we had the pleasure of a visit from Admiral and Mrs. Farragut and a portion of Ms staff at this city. Though his stay here was very brief, he arriving early Wednesday morning and leaving Saturday evening, yet I think I may say that it was very pleasant and entirely satisfactory to the admiral and his party.
I had the pleasure of introducing him to her Majesty the Queen, and her husband, styled “the King” by courtesy and I believe also by virtue of an act of the Cortes, to the ministers of war, state, and navy, and also to the members of the diplomatic corps, whom I invited with a number of friends in Spanish society to meet the admiral at my house.
All were charmed with the bearing and deportment of the admiral who bore so meekly and modestly the multiplied honors and attentions of which he has been the recipient in his European travels.
I can but hope and believe that his visit to this capital will have a most salutary influence on the relations of the two countries, for it is not often that the inhabitants of this capital have an opportunity of meeting and greeting distinguished Americans who have shed luster on our national character, and I am sure that there could not have come from, that number any one who could have done more to favorably impress the minds of the Spanish people than Admiral Farragut and his party.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.