I am thankful for this renewed assurance of kind feeling and confidence, and the support of the old Bay State, in so far as you, Mr. Chairman, have expressed, in behalf of those whom you represent, your sanction of what I have enunciated in my inaugural address. This is very grateful to my feelings. The object was one of great delicacy, in presenting views at the opening of an administration under the peculiar circumstances attending my entrance upon the official duties connected with the Government. I studied all the points with great anxiety, and presented them with whatever of ability and sense of justice I could bring to bear. If it met the approbation of our good friends in Massachusetts, I shall be exceedingly gratified, while I hope it will meet the approbation of friends everywhere. I am thankful for the expressions of those who have voted with us; and like every other man of you, I like them as certainly as I do others. As the President in the administration of the Government, I hope to be man enough not to know one citizen of the United States from another, nor one section from another. I shall be gratified to have good friends of Massachusetts and others who have thus far supported me in these national views still to support me in carrying them out. TO SECRETARY SEWARD EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, MARCH 7, 1861 MY DEAR SIR:--Herewith is the diplomatic address and my reply. To whom the reply should be addressed--that is, by what title or style--I do not quite understand, and therefore I have left it blank. Will you please bring with you to-day the message from the War Department, with General Scott's note upon it, which we had here yesterday? I wish to examine the General's opinion, which I have not yet done. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN. REPLY TO THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1861 Mr. FIGANIERE AND GENTLEMEN OF THE DIPLOMATIC BODY:--Please accept my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations. It affords me pleasure to confirm the confidence you so generously express in the friendly disposition of the United States, through me, towards the sovereigns and governments you respectively represent. With equal satisfaction I accept the assurance you are pleased to give, that the same disposition is reciprocated by your sovereigns, your governments, and yourselves. Allow me to express the hope that these friendly relations may remain undisturbed, and also my fervent wishes for the health and happiness of yourselves personally. TO SECRETARY SEWARD EXECUTIVE MANSION, MARCH 11,1861 HON. SECRETARY OF STATE. DEAR SIR:--What think you of sending ministers at once as follows: Dayton to England; Fremont to France; Clay to Spain; Corwin to Mexico? We need to have these points guarded as strongly and quickly as possible. This is suggestion merely, and not dictation. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. TO J. COLLAMER EXECUTIVE MANSION, MARCH 12, 1861