Mr. Fogg to Mr. Seward.
Berne, July 8, 1861.
Sir: Leaving New York for my post of duty on the steamer “Adriatic,” the 14th day of May, I reached Berne via Galway, London, and Paris, June 21, having previously ascertained by correspondence with my predecessor that it would be agreeable to him for me to take possession of the office, legation property, &c., the 1st day of July.
Making it my first duty, after arriving, to call on Mr. Fay at his house, I was received with the utmost frankness and cordiality, and with the offer of every facility to render my entrance upon my new duties pleasant to myself and favorable to the non-interruption of that entente cordiale, now and for years past so happily existing between the American legation and the several members of the Swiss government.
Mr. Fay very kindly undertook to notify the president of the confederation of my arrival, and ask an audience to enable him to present his own letter of recall, and myself and my letter of credence on the Monday following. Having received promise of an audience on the day named, Mr. Fay called with his carriage, and we went together to the palace of the federal council. The sequel has been narrated and transmitted to the State Department by Mr. Fay in his despatch numbered 431, dated July 2, 1861.
Subsequently we called upon the other members of the Swiss government and upon the foreign ambassadors resident at Berne, to all of whom I was kindly introduced, and by all of whom as cordially received—not without uniform, and, I am sure I may add, sincere expressions of regret at the termination of Mr. Fay’s official relations with the government and the diplomatic corps.
During our entire round of visits and presentations it was painfully pleasing to be constantly reminded of the profound interest with which the [Page 338] contest now going on in the United States, between liberty and union on the one hand, and despotism and secession on the other, is watched alike by the friends of republicanism and of absolutism. Here, however, the rebels have no friends—not even among the representatives of absolutism in Europe On all sides, the sanguine assurances I have felt at liberty to give of the certain triumph of our system and constitution of government over the conspirators for its overthrow, has seemed to give unalloyed satisfaction. That the future may justify these my assurances, will be my constant prayer, with that of millions in other lands.
I should not do justice to my own feelings did I omit to say that I have found Mr. Fay a true Christian gentleman, and an American whose heart has, by absence, lost none of its devotion to the liberties and good name of his native land. Thoroughly sympathizing with the principles and purposes of the present administration of the United States government, and possessing large experience and an enviable reputation in Europe, I trust it may not be deemed impertinent in me to express the hope that the State Department will not be a long time in finding some field where his familiarity with international and diplomatic affairs will be a necessity to the government.
With an ardent desire for the preservation of the free spirit of our government and the integrity of our national Union, I have the honor to subscribe myself, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States of
America.