Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have not seen Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys for the last few days, and have nothing of special interest to communicate. The insurrection of Poland has driven American affairs out of view for the moment. A disturbance on the continent, especially in Central Europe, is so near at hand, and touches the interests of so many of the crowned heads of these countries, that distant events fall out of sight until these more immediate troubles are settled. Nothing is publicly known of the views of his Majesty, though the French press have almost universally condemned Russia and sympathize with Poland. I am informed that a courier started for St. Petersburg this morning, at eight o’clock, with a manuscript letter from his Majesty to the [Page 714] Emperor Alexander. Of the contents of this letter, however, nothing is known. Notwithstanding the late war in the Crimea, the personal relations between these two imperial personages are said to be good.
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I am, sir, your obedient servant,
His Excellency William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.