Mr. Seward to Mr. Asboth.
Sir: I trust that long before this time you will have recovered from the illness which detained you in London, and may have reached your post at Buenos Ayes, which was left uncovered by the retirement of your predecessor, Mr. Kirk.
This government, as you will have learned, has been very much embarrassed by the delay and detention of Mr. Washburn on his way to resume his official functions at Asuncion. These difficulties have doubtless been unavoidably increased by the accidental illness which caused your own failure to reach Buenos Ayres at the time anticipated when you received your instructions from this department.
I give you herewith a copy of Mr. Washburn’s most recent despatch,* namely, of the 12th of September, and of my reply* thereto.
These papers are sent to you, confidentially, in the hope that in some way you may facilitate the solution of a trouble which, though unimportant in itself, has become one of much concern to the United States.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Alexander Asboth, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
- For enclosures, see correspondence with the United States minister to Paraguay.↩