Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: In the calamity which I and my family have experienced in the destruction of the premises of this legation by fire, as I have reported in another despatch of this date, the sense of our serious losses has been greatly alleviated by the kindness which we have experienced at the hands of my colleagues of the diplomatic corps. While the fire was yet burning, my official brethren were at hand with the warmest offers of service. From the ruins of our home we were taken by Señor Mariano Alvarez, Spanish chargé d’affaires, to his residence, where for several days we enjoyed a most liberal hospitality, and now Henry Byron, esq., British chargé d’affaires, has put us into the full occupancy of his convenient and well-furnished country house. Similar and hardly less valuable kindnesses have been rendered to us by Count Méjeau, French chargé d’affaires.
These considerate attentions were what I would have expected. It has always seemed to be the opinion of my colleagues, and it certainly has been my opinion, that the representatives of foreign powers here would not be well employed in pursuing a narrow policy towards each other, but that, on the other hand, harmony [Page 304] and unity of action in the diplomatic corps would best secure the ends for which the governments have respectively represented themselves here. The consequence of this common opinion has been a fraternity of intercourse which is uninterrupted, and which has certainly materially compensated me, whether or not it has others, for the inconveniences of separation from, and of residence in this disturbed country.
If the department should esteem it a matter of sufficient importance, I would be glad if the English, Spanish, and French governments could be informed of my gratitude to their representatives.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.