Mr. Seward to Mr. Webb.
Sir: On the 8th day of February last, Charles A. Washburn, esq., resident minister of the United States in Paraguay, wrote to this department that he had been hindered and prevented by the military authorities of the Argentine Republic, and the military authorities of Brazil, from passing up the river Parana to Asuncion.
The President having taken cognizance of these discourteous proceedings, [Page 307] special instructions were given to Admiral Godon and to Mr Washburn for their government in case the hindrance should be continued.
Mr. Kirk was at the same time instructed to bring the transaction to the notice of the government of the Argentine Republic, and to ask for an explanation.
A similar instruction was given to you regarding the government of Brazil.
We have now received a despatch from Mr. Washburn, written at Corrientes on the 27th of April, by which we are informed that the hindrance was not only continued, but renewed at that time by the direct action of the President of the Argentine Republic, and also the admiral commanding the allied fleet on the river Parana.
Of course you will perceive that at the time that despatch was written neither of the other before-mentioned instructions from this government to Mr. Washburn, to Mr. Kirk, to Admiral Godon, and to yourself, could have reached its destination.
I am obliged to write, therefore, in ignorance of the present condition of affairs in South America. Nevertheless, the sovereignty and honor of the United States will admit of no hesitation or delay in the matter. Mr. Washburn is, therefore, now instructed to return at once to the United States if the hindrance, before alluded to, shall not have ceased through some proceedings of the governments concerned.
In the case that you shall have put into execution the before-mentioned instruction, which was given to you by this department on the 21st day of April* last, and shall not have received the satisfactory explanations which you were instructed to ask from the government of Brazil, you will now demand such explanations peremptorily. If they shall not be given to you within six or eight days you will ask for your passports to return to the United States.
Should you find it necessary to execute this instruction you will read it, and give a copy of it, to the minister for foreign affairs.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
James Watson Webb, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
- See instruction No. 104 to United States minister to the Argentine Republic.↩