Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Admiral Farragut arrived here on the 8th, and with his staff and other officers dined with the King at the palace on the same evening. All the members of the cabinet were present, with this legation, at the beautiful banquet given in honor of that gallant commander. On the following day the admiral went, by invitation, with his staff, Captain Wyman of the Ticonderoga, and Mrs. Farragut, to breakfast at the palace at Laeken, where they were received by the Queen, who was not present at the entertainment at Brussels, where I also accompanied them with my family.
Last evening the ministers of the Grown, the high officials of the court, [Page 79] and the representatives of those countries where the admiral has been received with especial courtesy, met him at dinner at this legation.
To-day he has left for Leip to visit some of the manufacturing establishments there, and he proceeds thence to visit the steel works at Essen, expecting to be back here in time to receive the King on board the Franklin off Ostend, about the 22d instant.
The most cordial desire has been manifested on the part of his Majesty and the officials of the government to treat the admiral with due consideration and make his stay here pleasant.
The Ticonderoga, which reached Antwerp on the 10th, is still lying in the Scheldt before that city.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary, of State, Washington, D. C.