William H. Seward to E. Joy Morris, December 13, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr. Morris

Sir: Your despatch of November 11 (No. 35) has been received and is approved. The account of the fiscal condition of the Turkish empire, which you have furnished, is very interesting, and your exposition of judicial administration in the various provinces is painfully so.

All the vast success and prosperity which the United States have so long enjoyed has not been realized without drawing something from the elements of civilization in other parts of the world. We are now beginning to have experience of the operation of the same inflexible laws which have reduced states abroad in order that our own might flourish.

The decline of the cotton culture in the United States is an unavoidable result of the war. But is there not some very valuable instructions in the fact that the cotton culture is reviving so rapidly in Turkey? I wish that our insurgent citizens would allow themselves time to think that the way of wisdom, at least in the present age, is the path of peace.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,