William L. Dayton to William H. Seward, September 7, 1861

Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.

Sir: Your despatches, 41, 42, and 43, are duly received through Captain Schulz.

Your action, indicated in 41 and 42, has been anticipated by me In a letter from Mr. Adams, dated London, August 1, 1861, he encloses me a copy of Lord John Russell’s note of July 31, 1861, and in reference to the vague paragraph to which your despatches refer he says: “I do not quite comprehend the drift of the last paragraph, but I presume you will find it out in the progress of your negotiation.” This I immediately answered by a letter, of which I herewith send you a copy.

Their subsequent offer to make a written outside declaration cotemporaneous with the execution of the treaty was a degree of frankness which I did not anticipate, and for which I had not given them credit. I shall wait with great pleasure, according to your instructions, “the result of the explanations which Mr. Adams is instructed to ask,” but I expect that both he and I have already received all necessary explanations on that point. My conversations, at least with Mr. Thouvenel, have covered the whole ground, as stated to you in despatch No. 35. I add that I communicated immediately to Mr. Adams the substance of that conversation with Mr. Thouvenel.

The exequatur of James Lesley, appointed consul of the United States to Lyons, was applied for immediately on the receipt of his commission.

With much respect, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,