F. W. Seward to Señores Gana and Medina
The undersigned, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the joint note of Mr. Blest Gana, chargé d’affaires of Chili, and Mr. Medina, charge d’affaires of Peru, of yesterday, stating that they had reason to believe that the iron-clad steamer Dunderberg, now at anchor in the harbor of New York, had not been sold to the government of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, as the newspapers of this country have stated, but to the government of Spain.
In reply, the undersigned has the honor to acquaint Messrs. Blest Gana and Medina that, previously to the receipt of their note, this department had no other than newspaper information in regard to the alleged transfer of the Dunderberg. He has since, however, sought information upon the subject from Mr. Berthemy, accredited to this government as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, who states that the Dunderberg has been purchased and paid for by his government, and that she is to be delivered at the port of Cherbourg as a French vessel of war. Mr. Berthemy added that he did not believe that his government had any intention to sell the Dunderberg [Page 276] to the government of Spain, and that he would cheerfully make to Messrs. Blest Gana and Medina, orally or in writing, any further explanations upon the subject which they might desire.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to Messrs. Blest Gana and Medina a renewed assurance of his very high consideration.
Señores Don Alberto Blest Gana and A. B. Medina.