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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Hay.

No. 11.]

Department of State, Washington, January 13, 1868.

Sir: I have received your dispatch of the 24th of December, No. 14. Your account of the reorganization of the empire under its amended constitution is very interesting. It is gratifying to see that the national mind is cheerful and hopeful, and that prosperity revives so speedily under this great reform.

Whatever may be the fate of the further compromises which have been projected, certainly no one who considers the constitutional reforms that have been already accomplished can deny to Austrian and Hungarian statesmen the merit of great loyalty, patriotism, intelligence, and enterprise.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

John Hay, Esq., &c., &c., &c.