Mr. Seward to Mr. Harvey.

No. 96.]

Sir: Your despatch of December 15 (No. 187) has been received. The correspondence of the department as submitted to Congress has been already sent you. It contains the communications which had passed between this government and that of Great Britain on the subject of the claim of American citizens for depredations committed by the Alabama, or “290,” so far as they had proceeded before the assembling of Congress. [Page 1298] Copies of subsequent papers will be sent to you, if it shall seem profitable at the present time to address the Portuguese government in relation to the kindred questions affecting that government. This does not seem to be the case at the present moment.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

James E. Harvey, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Lisbon.