assuring the stability of the government, or in the character of a social reform bringing the people of Russia all at once up to the condition of freemen, it is calculated to command the approval of mankind. It seems to secure to Russia the benefits without the calamities of a revolution. You are authorized to congratulate Prince Gortchacow upon the auspicious event. Constitutional nations which have heretofore regarded the friendship which exists between Russia and the United States as wanting a foundation in common principles and sentiments, must hereafter admit that this relation is as natural in its character as it is auspicious to both countries in its results.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

BAYARD TAYLOR, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

SPAIN.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry.

No. 1.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 14, 1862.

SIR: Your despatch of December 21 (No. 15) has been received. The President directs me to assure you that he reposes entire confidence in your loyalty, ability, and diligence in conducting the affairs of the mission at Madrid during the temporary absence of Mr. Schurz.

You will have learned already of the action of this government in the case of the Trent, and you will be able to calculate as wisely as we upon the signs of peace between us and Great Britain.

It hardly can be necessary to say that the counsels of prudence will be pursued here until the point of national safety and honor compel a change of disposition. The condition of affairs is, that the insurrection does not advance, while the cause of the Union steadily gains important advantages. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

SIR: Your despatch of December 28 (No. 17) has been received. The President appreciates highly the diligence and loyal spirit with which you have entered ad interim upon the duties of the legation at Madrid.

While we have good reasons for hoping that the war cloud which so suddenly and so strangely arose from the British islands, threatening an aggra vation of the domestic evils of our country, will be happily dispersed, we have at the same time gratifying indications that the insurrection in the southern States has reached an interesting point, and may now be expected to be suppressed without unreasonable delay.

It finds itself hemmed in on all sides, and recent defeats sustained at Drainsville, in Virginia, at Port Royal, in South Carolina, and at Mill Creek, in Kentucky, cannot but abate the extravagant idea that they are invincible, which the insurgents have so carefully fostered.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HORATIO J. PERRY, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.

No. 11.]

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 22, 1862.

SIR: Your confidential despatch of January 19 (No. 25) was duly received. A nation that suffers itself to be divided by factions arrayed against each other in civil war can expect only intrusive intermeddling at first, and

sooner or later intervention and conquest by foreign powers. There is no friendship of one nation towards another that can survive the sacrifice of that nation's self-respect and self-sustaining power.

Let us be thankful that we have gained the time which was necessary to combine so large a people as ours, spread over so vast a continent, and bring them to the necessary conviction of the dangers from which the country is to be saved. Since your despatch was written a series of successes of the Union arms has been opened, which is regarded as auspicious of a speedy end of the insurrection. We have therefore dismissed, at least for the present, our apprehensions of foreign danger. Felicitating you upon this pleasing condition of affairs,

I remain, sir, your obedient servant,

SIR: Your despatch of March 30 (No. 46) has been received. Your treatment of the subject of our present relations with Spain, as represented by you, is approved by the President, and he has received with very cordial satisfaction the friendly explanations which Mr. Calderon Collantes has authorized you to convey to this department.

I think that you may be able to satisfy that eminent minister that the ! largest term which can readily be claimed for the present civil war is a period of two years from its date. It ought to have been expected that not less than one year would be occupied with the most flagrant and effective demonstrations of the insurgents, and that a government heretofore exempt from practical acquaintance with treason, and of course destitute of any machinery for resisting or counteracting it, would require no period less than the whole of that year to organize the military and naval forces for its safety. A year might then be reasonably allowed for the unavoidable trial

at arms.

The American people have feared that the reserve practiced in some quarters might be deemed indicative of a disposition, if not to aid the insurgents, at least to sympathize with and encourage them. The country has not been able to reconcile such tendencies with a generous and liberal spirit; Spain, however, has been eminently just and generous.

He

We have now entered upon that second year. It seems to the President that the conflict hurries on towards a conclusion in favor of the Union. is desirous that Spain may be sufficiently informed of the condition of affairs to enable her to resolve upon an attitude favorable to future harmony and friendship between the two countries.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HORATIO J. PERRY, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Perry.

No. 31.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, May 29, 1862.

SIR: Your despatch of April 17 (No. 48) has been received. It is very interesting as a considerate and guarded exposition of Mr. Calderon Collantes's views on the subject of Mexican affairs.

I find no occasion to add to the frank and full explanations of the views of this government on that subject I have already given. Matters have indeed assumed a new and unexpected complication. Before we can engage in discussing them under their new aspect, we need to have some more light concerning the probable course of events in Mexico. We the more readily defer the discussion because a hopeful state of affairs at home seems to call for our best exertious to bring our unhappy civil war to an early close. Nations no more than individuals can wisely divide their attention upon many subjects at one time.

On one point, however, you may express yourself as strongly as you think needful, namely: the disposition of the United States to cultivate at home and abroad respect for the sovereignty and the independence of nations as the most effectual security for peace and the progress of civilization.

SIR: Your despatch of May 25 (No. 57) has been received.

It is very interesting, and the debate in the Cortes upon Mexican affairs which you have extracted for us is very instructive. Mr. Calderon Collantes appears very advantageously in that discussion. His speech is temperate and loyal, and no one can read it without being satisfied that the Spanish government has acted with eminent honor and good faith.

You may say this to Mr. Calderon Collantes, and may add that this government is very favorably impressed by the deportment of the Spanish government on this occasion.

It is not deemed necessary that beyond these assurances you should at present make or seek any further explanations at Madrid concerning the state of Mexican affairs. The President hopes that the course of events may be such as to relieve this government from further debate upon them, notwithstanding the present singular complication. Should this expectation be disappointed, we shall then have the advantage of a clear knowledge of the actual situation of that subject, which, at present, we could only anticipate, and might, by anticipating erroneously, increase, instead of preventing embarrassment.

Your assiduity and zeal in the matter are fully appreciated; Mr. Carl Schurz has resigned the mission to Spain, and entered the military service. Mr. Gustavus Koerner, of Illinois, has been appointed and has accepted the mission. I learn from him that he will not take his departure until the expiration of about six weeks.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HORATIO J. PERRY, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.