Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward.
Sir: After a careful examination of your despatch (No. 36) in reference to an accession by the United States to the declaration of the congress of Paris, I have thought it best to submit a copy of the same to Mr. Thouvenel, to be read.
As your despatch recapitulates the points made by Mr. Thouvenel in the conversation with me and reported by me to the government, it was perhaps due to him that he should see if he has been correctly reported. Upon one side, it was equally important that, in a matter of so much interest, the view taken by our government should not be misstated nor misunderstood. It seems to me now that the case stands, upon the whole correspondence, as well for the government of the United States as could be desired.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
His Excellency William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, &c., &c.