Mr. Sanford to Mr. Hunter

No. 270.]

Sir: I have had the honor to receive this day your circular despatch of the 17th ultimo, announcing the assassination of the President and the attempt to murder the Secretary of State.

I have already informed you of the profound sentiment of indignation and sympathy it had excited here.

Unusual interest has been manifested with respect to the new President, and never, perhaps, in Europe, have accounts of the past life and public record of the incumbent of that high office been sought for with more interest or been more widely disseminated.

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I am happy to state that the result has been to create a most favorable impression in the public mind, which has been augmented by the conservative tone of the President’s reply to the British minister on presenting his credentials.

Public sentiment here, somewhat incredulous at first, owing to the malignant aspersions of enemies, now is, that the succession has fallen into capable and worthy hands. However much the late tragic events may have caused sadness, there is one feature in connexion with them abroad which cannot but cause a melancholy pride, and that is, the conviction created thereby in classes heretofore incredulous in the permanency of our system of government, which, uninfluenced by what would shake any European government to its foundations, moves calmly on in its great work, amid the most formidable difficulties with which a government has ever had to deal.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant.

H. S. SANFORD,

Hon. W. Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.