Mr. Schurz to Mr. Seward .

[Extract.]

No. 27.]

Sir:

* * * * * * * * *

After having closed our conversation on the Mexican business, I called Mr. Calderon’s attention to a report going through the American and European press that Spain was about to recognize the independence of the Southern Confederacy and to break up the blockade of our southern ports. I added that it was impossible for me to believe that Spain could entertain any such intentions, and inquired whether anything had occurred to give rise to such a rumor.

[Page 285]

Mr. Calderon replied with the strongest protestations of good faith and friendship towards the United States. He assured me that nothing could be further from the intentions of her Majesty’s government than to depart from the policy indicated in her Majesty’s proclamation of neutrality. But, he added, there are things—and, interrupting himself, he asked me whether I had not, within the last two days, received despatches from my government. I answered in the negative. Then he went to his desk and took out a paper, which turned out to be a copy of your despatch (No. 30) addressed to me, bearing date September 18. This despatch, as he said, had been communicated by you to Mr. Tassara, and Mr. Tassara had sent it to him. He handed it to me, and you may well imagine that I was somewhat disagreeably surprised. Instead of my communicating this despatch to him, he communicated it to me, and I found myself obliged to confess that I had not the least official knowledge of a matter to which, according to the contents of the despatch, my government attached the highest importance. Mr. Calderon informed me that he had received the document the day before; that he had at once inquired whether any report had been sent in by the captain general of Cuba; and that, there being none, he was not prepared to give an answer to your despatch. I replied that I would not ask for an answer until I should have received the original of your instructions and the reports of our consular officers on the Island of Cuba; that as soon as I should be in possession of these documents, I would lay them before him, and then discuss the matter with him in all its bearings. He replied that this would be agreeable to him, but that it would be impossible for him to give a definite answer without having heard from the captain general of Cuba.

* * * * * * * * *

I am, sir, with the greatest respect, your obedient servant,

C. SCHURZ.

Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.