Mr. Seward to Mr. Stuart.
Sir: I have been informally apprised that Mr. Coppell, her Britannic Majesty’s acting consul at New Orleans, has deemed it advisable to relinquish his official functions in consequence of a letter addressed to him by Major General Butler, issued, it is presumed, through some misapprehension. I do not think the facts of the case justified General Butler in writing that letter. I will thank you, therefore, to request that gentleman to resume his consular character, the supposed cause of the abandonment of which is regretted. The Secretary of War has been requested to issue proper orders upon the subject to General Butler.
I have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient servant,
Hon. William Stuart, &c., &c., &c.