Office of the Historian

Mr. Seward to Mr. Jones.

No. 14.]
Department of State,
Washington, August 12, 1861.

Sir: Your despatch of the 20th of July, No. 22, has just been received. Owing to the change of Mr. Burlingame’s destination, the instructions he conveyed have failed to reach your legation. A new appointment has just now been made in the person of Mr. Motley, who will, without much delay, proceed to relieve you of the mission which you have conducted so satisfactorily during the period of my connexion with this department.

Mr. Motley will have full powers to treat with the government of Austria on all the matters discussed by Count Rechberg in the speech to which, by his direction, you have called ray attention, and I am sure that they will be disposed of to the entire satisfaction of Austria, as well as for the common advantage of both countries.

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In the meantime, however, you are authorized to say to Count Rechberg that the United States adhere now, as heretofore, to the three principles enunciated by him in that speech, namely:

1.
The neutral flag covers enemy’s goods, with the exception of contraband of war.
2.
Neutral goods, not contraband of war, are not liable to confiscation under enemy’s flag.
3.
Blockades, in order to be binding, must be effective.

Of course these principles are understood by us as not compromising our right to close any of our own ports for the purpose of suppressing the existing insurrection, either directly or in the more lenient and equitable form of blockade which we have already some time since established.

You will not fail to assure the imperial royal government that the President had received with great satisfaction the assurances of the just purposes and good will of Austria towards the United States, communicated by Count Rechberg to yourself, and repeated by Mr. Hülsemann, the minister of Austria residing at this capital.

It shall be our purpose to cultivate the best understanding with all nations which respect our rights as Austria does.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

J. Glancy Jones, Esq., &c., &c., &c.