Mr. Seward to Mr. Hovey.
Sir: Your despatch No. 29, of the 13th of August last, has been received. The conversation between General Prado and yourself, which it reports, was of an interesting character. Upon any future proper occasion you may say to him that the United States desire peace between the republics, formerly colonies of Spain, and their mother country. We desire to maintain neutrality, because we believe natural justice, and absence from all foreign intervention, to be an essential policy of a republic. The United States are firmly convinced of the necessity of such a course, and they cannot, therefore, agree to a violation of neutrality.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Alvin P. Hovey, Esq., &c., &c., &c.