He saw in them, "not a rightful and accomplished revolution, not an independent nation with an established government, but only the perversion of a temporary and partisan excitement, and an inconsiderate purpose of unjustifiable and unconstitutional aggression upon the rights and the authority vested in the Federal Government." Mr.Seward further advised them that he "looked for the cure of evils which should result from proceedings so unnecessary, so unwise, so unusual, so unnatural, not to irregular negotiations having in view untried relations, but to regular, considerate action of the people of those States through the Congress of the United States, and through such extraordinary conventions, if there be need thereof, as the Federal Constitution contemplates and authorizes to be assembled." Under these circumstances, Mr.
Seward informed the Commissioners that his official duties were confined to the conduct of the foreign relations of his country, and did not at all embrace domestic questions, or questions arising between the several States and the Federal Government.
The Secretary of State was unable, therefore, to comply with the request of Messrs.

Forsythe and Crawford, and declined to appoint a day on which they might submit the objects of their visit to the President of the United States.

He refused to recognize them as diplomatic agents, and would not hold correspondence or further communication with them.

Lest the Commissioners might console themselves with the reflection that Mr.Seward was speaking only for himself, and that the President might deal with them less curtly, he informed them that he had cheerfully submitted his answer to Mr.Lincoln, who coincided in the views it expressed, and sanctioned the Secretary's decision declining official intercourse with Messrs.

Forsythe and Crawford.