Mr. King to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication from the Secretary of State in reply to mine of April 28th, transmitting the resolutions adopted by the Americans in Rome in relation to the tragic events that occurred in Washington on the 14th of the same month. I shall take pleasure in communicating the contents of the despatch to my countrymen in this city.
The ceremonies of Christmas week attracted many visitors to Rome and passed off with their wonted éclat. The magnificence of the weather added to the effect of the imposing pageant, the Holy Father taking a prominent part in the religious exercises at St. Peter’s.
In conformity with established usage, all the members of the diplomatic corps called in turn upon his Holiness during the past week to tender him the congratulations and good wishes appropriate to the season. In the interview which I enjoyed with him, the Pope expressed great satisfaction at the general tenor of the news from America, and referred to the President’s message as a document of great merit. The cardinal secretary of state, whom I saw on the same day, was unusually cordial in his reception and profuse of kind wishes. He, too, referred to affairs in the United States as all going on well, and spoke in very warm praise of the message. He was greatly struck, he said, with its moderate and statesmanlike tone, and especially impressed with the manner in which the questions at issue between England and the United States were presented and discussed. That, he thought, was most adroitly done, and left England in a very awkward predicament. The events in America, his Eminence added, had fully verified all the assurances I had given him during the last winter and spring.
The opinions entertained by the Pope and Cardinal Antonelli on these topics are shared very generally by the diplomatic corps in Rome. Indeed, it is no [Page 128] exaggeration to say that the President’s last message and accompanying documents have made a profound impression upon the rulers and peoples of Europe.
The cessation of the cholera at Naples and the raising of the quarantine along the Papal borders has once more set in motion the tide of travel, and crowds of foreigners, an unusually large proportion being Americans, are flocking to Rome. The general health of this city continues excellent, and the winter thus far has been a season of almost unbroken sunshine.
Within the past month the new Austrian and Spanish ambassadors, Baron Hubner and Signor Isturitz, have arrived in Rome and presented their credentials to the Pope. With both these gentlemen I have established agreeable personal and official relations.
With the exception of rather frequent complaints about the increase of brigandage, the exact truth of which it is not easy to ascertain, matters continue quiet in the Papal states. The belief is very prevalent, however, that the current year is destined to witness a marked change in the political condition of Italy and Europe. * * * * * * *
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D C.