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

Mr. Seward to Mr. De Long.

No. 2.]

Department of State, Washington, April 3, 1862.

Sir: Your despatch of the 20th February (No. 3) has been received.

It gives an account of the arrest of two of the crew of the pirate Sumter, and their detention, with a view of their being sent to the United States.

I have subsequently learned, though informally, that the persons thus arrested have been despatched to this country.

The French minister residing at this capital mentioned to me, informally, yesterday, that he was charged with a communication to me upon the same subject by his government.

For this reason I defer presenting the matter to the notice of the President until the promised statement of Mr. Thouvenel shall have been received.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

James De Long, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Tangier.