Mr. Seward to Mr. Romero
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your communication of the 25th ultimo, in reply to mine of the previous day, enclosing to you the opinion of the Attorney General of the United States with reference to the exportation of five thousand muskets purchased and shipped in the steamer Manhattan for Vera Cruz, by the agents of Maximilian, and which exportation you desired should be prohibited.
The opinion of the Attorney General, already communicated to you, precludes the necessity of any extended remarks on my part upon this subject, except to assure you that no law of the United States will be so interpreted as to place Mexico in a position inferior to that of her enemy.
I beg also to inform you that, in compliance with your request, a copy of your note of the 25th March has been communicated to the Attorney General.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, sir, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
Señor Matias Romero, &c., &c., &c.