Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward, July 30, 1861

Mr. Sanford to Mr.
Seward.

Sir: I called yesterday at the department of
foreign affairs to press again upon the attention of Baron De Vrière the
proposition of adhesion to the declaration of Paris, made to him near
two months since, and he being out of town, I saw the secretary general,
who, as before said, replaces the minister in his absence.

In reply to my question whether the government had come to any decision,
he said that they were not yet sufficiently informed of the condition of
this subject at other courts to give me any positive answer; that while
he would not say that they would give a negative one, the policy and
acts of Belgium being, as I was aware, doubtless most liberal, yet they
did not feel, as a smaller power, justified in taking any step of this
nature in advance of their neighbors.

I inquired whether there was any other objection to this proposed
convention than he had indicated, in order to learn whether the addition
of the Marcy proposition was considered an impediment. He said he was
not prepared to give any other; that their position with regard to
neighboring powers, to whom Belgium owed, in one sense, her nationality,
was a delicate one, and they did not feel authorized to take any
initiative in negotiations of this character; they left that to those
powers who must necessarily have a controlling influence in general
politics.

It is thus evident that this government will do nothing till after the
great powers have decided upon a course of action in this matter.

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