Mr. Fay to Mr. Seward.
[Extract.]
Berne, June 7, 1861.
Sir: * * * * * * * * *
I had an earnest conversation with Mr. Frei Herosée on the subject of the possibility of the reception of any southern agent. He is an old friend of Mr. Dudley Mann. He is also one of the oldest and most influential members of the federal council and founders of the government, and has been several [Page 333] times President. He confirmed warmly all that President Knüsel had said, and in plainer terms. Switzerland, he said, had always opposed rebellion and revolution everywhere. He alluded, I presume, to the days of 1848, during which this republic acted with equal liberality and wisdom. She has herself passed through the same ordeal as that through which God is now leading us, and she knows what it is for foreign powers to cast the weight of their open encouragement or secret intrigue into the wrong scale. Whatever importance may be attached to the course which Switzerland may pursue on this point, I am almost positive no agent would be received.
* * * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States of
America.