William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, November 25, 1864

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward

Sir: I enclose you a printed copy of a note recently addressed, it would seem, by the rebel commissioners abroad to Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys and to the other representatives of other courts in Europe. I know nothing of it, except from seeing it in print. My attention has not been called to it by Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys. The manifesto referred to you will doubtless recollect as an emission from the rebel Congress of last year; at least, I believe that was its date.

I have been much annoyed by the unfriendly spirit of the government press of France since the election. The Patrie, in its issue of yesterday, throws out the suggestion that, inasmuch as Mr. Lincoln will not receive the vote of a majority of the electors of all the States, it will not be possible to recognize him as the President of the United States. A conjoint effort of the English and, I am sorry to say, of the French press is being made to ward off the influence and effect of the late election. If there is anything in the English papers which seems calculated to belittle its consequences, and encourage the south to hold out in the hope of recognition, it is sure to be translated and copied into the French journals. This is the case, I observe, with a piece from the London Press, (supposed to be Lord Palmerston’s organ,) copied this morning into the Moniteur. But it is needless to trouble you with these things. I have referred to them only because I have been myself disappointed. The result of the election does not seem to have brought about that spirit of fairness which I had anticipated.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,