Mr. Seward to Mr. Washburn
Sir: Your despatch of January 27, last, No. 79, has been received and its contents carefully considered.
The subject which you have treated therein and on which you ask to be instructed, growing out of the imprisonment of George Watson, George Bowen, and John Moore, prisoners in Paraguay, is important; but it seems neither necessary nor convenient in the present attitude of affairs to raise the question mentioned.
It is proper, however, for you to protest against the detention of those citizens as prisoners of war and against their being exchanged.
Your letter to Marshal Lopez of December 26th accompanies your despatch, and meets the approval of this department.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles A. Washburn, Esq., &c., &c., &c.