William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, February 21, 1862

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

Sir: A copy of your confidential despatch to Mr. Adams, No. 177, was received yesterday.

I sincerely hope that the expectations therein referred to may be realized. It so happens that the night before your despatch was received I had ventured, on my own responsibility, to assure the Emperor that bad roads only had prevented an advance of our army in the west. He understands that difficulty perfectly, as you will have learned from one of my late despatches.

It may not be amiss to state to you that I have been informed that Mr. Rost, one of the southern commissioners, went recently to Spain, and is now there, I presume. I simply telegraphed the fact to Mr. Perry, charge, &c. Mr. Slidell, the other commissioner, with his family, is here, though I have not seen them.

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I am, sir, your obedient servant,