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. Sanford.

No. 20.]

Department of State,
Washington, July 30, 1861.

Sir: The accompanying transcript of an instruction to our minister to Great Britain, dated the 21st instant, and numbered 42, will place you in possession of the views of this government concerning the principle of the law which authorizes the President to close the ports that have been seized by the insurgents.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Henry S. Sanford, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Brussels.