Message of the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Harvey .

No. 5.]

Department of State,
Washington, August 17, 1861.

Sir: Your despatch No. 7, dated July 28, has been received. It is accompanied by a copy of a note which you on the 27th of July addressed to M. d’Avila, minister for foreign affairs in the government of Portugal, on the subject of privateering by or in the service of the insurgents of the United States. Your proceeding in this respect seems to have been eminently judicious, and the note itself, I think, very well and properly expressed.

It is hoped that you will before this time have received such a satisfactory reply as our good relations and treaties with the government of Portugal authorize us to expect.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

James E. Harvey, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Lisbon.