Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton, March 26, 1863

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton

Sir: Your despatch of March 6, No. 283, has
been received.

Reports of communications between emissaries of the insurrection and
foreign courts no longer produce great excitement here. The nation seems
to have fully apprehended the crisis, and resolved to meet it. The tone
of the public mind has greatly
improved. The relative resources and positions of the Union and its
enemies are coming to be understood and justly valued. It is no longer
possible to decry with success the credit of the government or the
advantages of the national forces, while it is equally impossible to
conceal the destruction of the revolutionary credit, and the destitution
that is stalking through the insurrectionary region.

The disloyal citizens who appeared in the political canvass of the last
autumn, misled by their apparent success at home and effect abroad, have
now discerned that they pushed their designs too boldly. A vigorous
reaction is apparent, and it is daily increasing. No discreet or
thoughtful person now apprehends any resistance to the authorities of
the government, or any embarrassment of its necessary measures, in the
loyal States. Nor is there any fear that it will fail to find all the
material and men it may need for maintaining the integrity of the
country, and restoring the authority of the Union.

Neither Mr. Mercier nor myself has been able to discern any discrepancy
in our respective statements in regard to the matters which have been
the subject of so much comment here as well as abroad. Our relations
have been amicable and cordial throughout, and they are likely, I trust,
to remain so. Indeed, the fact that there was manifestly no alienation
between us, when his government seemed to be pressing with so much
urgency upon us, caused the apprehension to obtain here that the
department over which I preside was not unfavorable to inadmissible
schemes of pacification under the influence of France. Mr. Mercier has
understood all the time my position to be just what I have officially
stated.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,