Mr. Seward to Mr. Harvey.
Sir: Your very interesting despatch of the 22d of March, 1863, has been received. The people of Poland are subjects of a traditional sympathy, which is coextensive with civilization. In no country is this sympathy more intense than in the United States. Since the European states, which have taken the cause of that heroic people into consideration, have concluded to confine their action upon it to an appeal to the magnanimity of Russia, it is earnestly to be desired that this very pacific form of intervention will not be fruitless. The noble character of the present ruler of Russia I think warrants an expectation that, while he is so diligently and so generously ameliorating the condition of the Russian people generally, he will not hesitate to bestow the boon of freedom to his unwilling subjects in Poland.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
James E. Harvey, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Lisbon.