Mr. Seward to Mr. Pike.
Sir: Your despatch of the 13th of August (No. 57) has been received. It is accompanied by papers furnished to you by Messrs. Hope & Company, of Amsterdam. For your information upon the subject, and in order that you may be able to communicate fully with those gentlemen, I give you copies of my two latest communications to the Netherlands minister here, Mr. Roest Van Limburg. These papers show the disposition of that case which has been made.
In the panorama of this war, as in others, the scenes are not definitely fixed either in their order or their effect. Our army, which became unfortunately divided in the attempt to take Richmond, has been again consolidated, but not without some though not disastrous loss; and it is now, we hope only temporarily, again employed, not in aggressive movements, but in defending this capital.
The general aspect of military affairs is not altogether such as patriots could have desired. But we are consolidating and augmenting our forces, and preparing to recover the military situation with all the energy possible.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
James S. Pike, Esq., &c., &c., &c.