Mr. Motley to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 140 to 144, from April 22to May 16, containing summaries of political and military events.
In No. 143, of date 16th May, were enclosed two copies of the President’s proclamation relative to insurgent cruisers, one of which, in accordance with your instructions, I have communicated to the imperial royal government, accompanied by a brief note, of which the following paragraph is an extract:
‘The undersigned is glad to make use of this occasion to express his satisfaction and that of his government with the fact that, so far as the Austrian empire is concerned, this proclamation has no practical application, inasmuch as the insurgent cruisers in question have never, so far as known to the undersigned, been harbored or countenanced within the dominions of his Imperial Royal Majesty.’
I have the honor to remain, sir, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, Washington.