Mr. Seward to Mr. Washburn.
Sir: The war between Paraguay and her adversaries has been watched from here with an interest which could not fail to be entertained from the material, moral, and political results involved, both to the parties and to this country. The region which is its seat, naturally one of the richest on the globe, had, until recently, been shut out from trade by the peculiar policy of the former chiefs of Paraguay, and by other well known causes. When this policy was ended by the treaties to which the United States was a party, opening the magnificent rivers in that quarter to intercourse abroad, we began to share in that intercourse to a degree which inspired, apparently, just hopes that its prosperity would rapidly augment. These hopes have been disappointed by the war referred to, which has now been so much protracted that the resources of the belligerents must be materially affected, even if they should make peace at once. It is deemed so desirable that tranquillity should be restored there, that if either or all the parties should desire our good offices to that end, they would be promptly and cheerfully bestowed. You may so inform the minister for foreign affairs of Paraguay, officially or otherwise, and apprise the department of the result. A similar instruction has been addressed to Mr. Webb at Rio de Janeiro, and to Mr. Asboth at Buenos Ayres.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles A. Washburn, Esq., &c., &c., &c.