Mr. Seward to Mr. Tassara.
Sir: The note which your excellency addressed to me on the 26th of August last, during my absence from this city, has only just now been received. It prefers a complaint by your government, made in behalf of the Spanish house of Avendaño Brothers, at New Orleans, for severities and exactions alleged to have been committed there by Major General Butler while in the military command of that city. More especially it alleges that, without sufficient cause or grounds, General Butler exacted of the aforesaid house, under threats of violence, a bill of exchange for £1,900, equal to nine thousand six hundred dollars. This complaint is a very grave one. The President, of course, is not prepared to believe that it is justly made; you may, however, without hesitation, assure your government that an investigation of it will be made with the least possible delay, and that ample redress will be promptly given if Major General Butler shall fail to justify his proceedings in the transaction.
This government is, above all things, desirous to direct its proceedings in sup pressing the present insurrection in such a manner as to do no wrong to individuals, and especially to the subjects of friendly nations.
The present seems to be a proper occasion for me to inform you that Brigadier General Shepley, who some time ago was appointed military governor of Louisiana, has now assumed that office, and is charged with the conduct of civil affairs in that State.
It may sometimes happen that differences of opinion may arise between this government and that of Spain upon the merits of complaints made by the subjects of Spain against the American authorities, or complaints made by citizens of the United States against the authorities of Spain. In view of such a possibility, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of establishing a joint commission for their settlement, to be composed of commissioners mutually agreed upon by the two governments.
A similar proposition has been made by the United States to Great Britain, and it is understood that there is a probability of its acceptance.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to you renewed assurances of my very high consideration.
Sénor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara, &c., &c., &c.