Mr. Seward to Mr. Marsh.
Sir* * * * * * *
You will please make acknowledgments to the minister for foreign affairs for the liberal and friendly answer of the Italian government to my suggestion concerning a purchase of the ships-of-war recently built for its use at New York.
The attention of statesmen, measurably withdrawn from America, seems to be now fastening itself entirely upon European questions. Information concerning these questions has a certain value for us, although we have no direct interest in or responsibility concerning them. The position you occupy doubtless enables you to study the events occurring on the shores of the Mediterranean from the Alps to the Adriatic, while your long experience will assist you to form prudent judgments concerning their tendency and probable results.
For these reasons your correspondence is regarded, at the present moment, with special interest.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
George P. Marsh, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Turin.