Boston, July 6,1861.
Thank you for your telegram. I wrote you last Sunday in
substance as follows: —
We are obliterating party lines, which is all the fashion,
especially with the Outs. Why not do so with state lines? Of all the men who
should go abroad, Lothrop Motley would do most credit to the administration. He
was shut off by Adams and Burlingame, much to our regret, and to the loss of
the country. He is a Republican from the start, a linguist, and the historian
of the day. Now that Burlingame has been banished to China, why not send Motley
to Vienna? It would be a delicate matter for Massachusetts to press, as she has
two foreign missions, but if the suggestion came from you, upon considerations
of public interest, I should think Mr. Seward would not hesitate to appoint
him. We have not, outside of London and Sardinia, a very strong representation
in Europe, and it does strike me this would strengthen the administration.
If you agree with me, and will push it, you can do it, and I
know it will be applauded, as Mr. Irving's appointment, you remember, was
universally. It would be a compliment to literature rather than to our State. .
. .
I hope to see Congress organize a mercantile navy, and put
you at the head of a commission to sit in New York, and see to it. Buy clipper
ships, and commission the captains with good rank for the war!
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