Mr. Tassara to Mr. Seward.
The undersigned, minister plenipotentiary of her Catholic Majesty, has received from his government instructions to make known to the honorable Secretary of State of the United States that fossil coal, the produce of the mines of Chili, declared to be contraband of war by the commander of the Spanish squadron in the Pacific, it is understood will be such contraband of War only in case it is despatched destined for enemies’ ships. As the agent of the government of the United States at Valparaiso had protested against the declaration of Brigadier Mendez Nunez, the undersigned hastens to make known to the honorable Secretary of State this resolution of her Majesty’s government, whose object it is to avoid the damages which might be occasioned to neutral commerce.
The undersigned avails of this occasion to reiterate to the honorable Secretary of State the assurances of his highest consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c.,&c., &c.