Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part IV

[Translation.]

Mr. Sanford to Mr. Van den Peereboom.

Legation of the United States, Brussels, January 7, 1864.

Monsieur Le Ministre:I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of your excellency under date of 31st ultimo.

I am happy to learn that the first appearance of works of American artists in a Belgian art exhibition has attracted the enlightened attention of your excellency, and of Belgian connoisseurs, and that under other circumstances an appreciation would have been evidenced in a more marked manner.

These relations of art cannot but be a means of drawing more closely the bonds of friendship between the two countries, and, on my side, I shall be happy to contribute to them so far as lies in my power, being moreover convinced, by the commencement of an experiment of this year, that my countrymen may without apprehension take a place in the art exhibitions of Belgium.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

H. S. SANFORD.