Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Your despatch of May 8th (No. 305) has been received. It is proper for me to correct a misapprehension into which you seem to have been led by some remarks of Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, namely, that I had suggested to Mr. Mercier, with a view to the action of the French government, a blockade of Matamoras. This is erroneous. Any suggestion of that kind that may have reached Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys from Mr. Mercier must have been made from impressions of his own, and on his own authority, although it is not improbable that he conceived the thought as the result of a free conversation with me, in which I mentioned, with some earnestness, the difficulties we sustain in seeing that the neutral port of Mexico is used as the entrepôt for munitions of war, which, if we attempt to seize them, are covered by the pretence that they are designed for another belligerent, while, if we let them pass on that ground, they are received and used for our destruction. It will not be necessary for you to make any explanations to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys on the subject. Mr. Mercier will doubtlessly do that.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton, Esq., &c., &c., &c.