Executive Office, Iowa,
Iowa City, March 20th, 1863.
Sir: — I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 18th inst., announcing
to me my appointment as Minister Resident of the United States to Denmark, and
enquiring how soon, in case of my acceptance, I will be prepared to proceed to
Copenhagen.
I beg leave to tender my thanks for the honor conferred upon
me by this appointment.
The tender of this position to me was wholly unexpected, and
consequently I desire a short delay and some information before I make my
determination. My principal reason for asking delay is this: The condition of
affairs in this State at this time is somewhat critical and many of our people
have expressed to me a strong desire that I shall continue in the discharge of
my present official duties for a few months longer. Will you be kind enough to
inform me how long I can be permitted to remain here in case I accept the
appointment? I also wish to know what attaches, if any, belong to this mission
and how they are appointed and paid.
Upon receiving this information I will immediately determine
the question of acceptance. Very respectfully,
Your obedient
servant,
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.
Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of State,
Washington City, D. C.
SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of
Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 276-7
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