Mr. Webb to Mr Seward.
Sir: The latest intelligence from the river Plate leaves little doubt but the army of the allies is suffering fearfully, both from disease and the obstinate defence which Lopez offers it.
The demand for additional troops is exceedingly pressing; and it is said that the commander of the allied army, as also the commander of the naval forces, both Brazilians, insist that until the army shall be re-enforced by at least 15,000 fresh troops, further advance is impossible.
The simple truth is Brazilians are not the material out of which to make good soldiers; while the administrative department of the army is said to be as bad as it possibly can be. Failure is therefore openly predicted in all quarters not directly connected with the government. What then ? If the United States do not intervene by the offer of mediation, England and France most assuredly will from necessity do so. And against such friendly interference by them we of course could not object. Under existing circumstances, then, and where the “Monroe doctrine” has been virtually admitted by the withdrawal of the French troops from Mexico, it does appear to me that the United States, without setting up any claim in the premises, should indirectly assume that it is her right to interpose in all international conflicts on this continent to the full extent that interposition from other powers is admissible. We should impress all the American governments with a conviction that it is alike their interest and their duty to look to the United States for protection and advice; protection from European interference, and friendly council and advice in regard to difficulties with their neighbors. I therefore earnestly recommend that at the earliest possible moment I be authorized to tender to Brazil and her allies, the republics of Argentine and Uruguay, our good offices and friendly interposition in the settlement of all pending questions between them and Paraguay.
I have no doubt that should a crisis arise when such tender of services would become expedient before I can get a response to this despatch, it would be proper for me to renew the tender of good offices, so unwisely rejected, pending the difficulty between Brazil and Uruguay, taking care to do nothing beyond a mere tender of good offices until I hear from you on this subject. And should such contingency arise, which, however, is not at all probable, I shall so act.
If it should be advisable and politic to constitute ourselves the arbiter in this affair, and I think the policy and expediency of such a course admits of no question, then it occurs to me that my instructions to offer mediation should cover the broad ground that in difficulties arising between American governments it is wise and expedient, and eminently politic, that there should be no foreign intervention, and that arbitration should, if possible, be confined to the governments on this continent; hence we offer our services, &c.; I to show such instructions [Page 321] when I make the tender of mediation, which, of course, must depend upon future events.
If I am not incorrectly informed, the time for such interposition of good offices will be about the 1st of November.
I think the subject is one which demands immediate consideration, if we would anticipate action by England and France.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.