Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your circular despatch (No. 65) of August 18, your circular (No. 21) of the same date, and your despatch (No. 66) of the 26th of August.
Your information contained in the latter, that the junction of the armies under Generals McClellan and Pope had been safely effected, and received with great satisfaction. That satisfaction is, however, qualified by subsequent information brought by the telegraph, via Cape Race, to the 5th instant, to the effect that the federal forces have been forced back into their intrenchments on the Potomac.
Should this information prove true, it will be a disappointment to expectations formed on this side in respect to the strength and operations of our consolidated troops in Virginia.
We always look, however, for the authentic details of the news from America to be better for our cause than they are represented by the telegraphic reports of the hostile operators, with which we are constantly served.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.