Mr. Seward to Viscount Treilhard.
Department of State, Washington,
August 27, 1862.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 12th
instant, relative to the issuing of orders for the purpose of
facilitating communications between the French legation here and the
consulate of France at Richmond, and to my reply, I now have the honor
to enclose to you the copy of a letter of the 23d of this month from the
War Department on the subject, from which it would seem that it is not
thought practicable or proper, at the present time, to exchange the
mails as proposed by your note.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurance of
my high consideration.
F. W. SEWARD, Acting
Secretary.
The Viscount Treilhard, &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Watson to Mr. Seward.
War Department, Washington City, D. C.,
August 23, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor, by direction of the
Secretary of War, to acknowledge the receipt of your communication
of the 13th instant, enclosing the translation of a note from
Viscount Treilhard, relative to the interchange of communications
between the French legation here and the consulate of France at
Richmond, and requesting a favorable attention thereto.
[Page 433]
In reply the Secretary instructs me respectfully to state that, on
reference to the general-in-chief, he reports that he does not think
it would be practicable or proper, at the present time, to exchange
the mails as proposed.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
P. H. WATSON, Assistant Secretary of
War.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
