Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
I have already let you know that Congress and the people of this country are very sensitive in regard to this subject, and that the French government cannot reasonably expect their acquiescence in proceedings which shall conflict with the engagements that the French government has thus made. The sensibility I have described increases with every day’s increasing evidence of the decline of the insurrection in the United States. The mails which convey this despatch will carry to Europe unmistakable demonstrations that the system of African slavery is about to be abandoned by the partisans who have been hitherto its supporters and advocates in the loyal region of the country. It may, however, be necessary to refer you to a fact of at least equal significance. Slave sales still occur in the insurgent States. They show that a so-called prime slave commands in the market the net sum of $100 to $150 of gold, or $150 to $200 currency of the United States. This is a reduction of 1,000 per cent. in the value of the slave since the war began. Of course, slaves less useful, for purposes of labor, have depreciated in the same ratio. The slaveholding States are, therefore, verging to the point where slave property will become an incumbrance, and slavery an object of disgust. It is to be remarked at the same time that other kinds of property are not so depreciated. Horses, cattle, grain, furniture, and, I believe, lands, are worth as much to-day in the southern States as they ever were. It would seem to result from these facts that the economical system of the free States (identical with the economical system prevailing in all other civilized nations) is being adopted in the south, and that land, not labor, is becoming the chief investment of wealth there as elsewhere. When this change takes place, all the motives of disunion perish. Revolutionary movements cannot be permanently sustained by mere prejudice or passion without substantial objects or interests.
The President thinks you have done very well in suggesting to M. Drouyn de l’Huys the expediency of an abandonment of the special attitude of toleration towards the insurrection—an attitude which has gained no benefits to France, while it has been so deeply injurious to the United States. I have presented this subject so often and so fully heretofore that it cannot be necessary to enlarge upon it now. America is believed to be about to regain the accustomed blessings of peace, while Europe seems not unlikely to become a theatre of war. We would that the European states may not in their future conflicts find themselves embarrassed with unfraternal relations towards the States in this continent. It would be worthy of France to lead the way in restoring harmony and mutual confidence between the old and the new, the eastern and the western nations.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.