Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session Thirty-seventh Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Webb.

No. 13.]

Department of State, Washington, December 12, 1861.

Sir: I recur to your despatch (No. 3) of the date of October 24.

Your course in issuing your circular, concerning the secession flag, to the consuls in the Brazilian empire is approved. We trust that it will have the effect of saving the national prestige in South America.

It is to be regretted that the late minister—your predecessor—and the late consul at Rio have probably escaped, for the present, the account which they owe to the government for their treasonable abuse of the confidence of their country.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

James Watson Webb, Esq., &c., &c., &c.