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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Crosby.

No. 18.]

Department of State, Washington, June 19, 1862.

Sir: The enclosed copy of an instruction of the 4th instant, addressed to our minister in Costa Rica, will give you all the information at present in my possession in regard to the purposes of this government respecting the colonization of free blacks, to which you refer in your No. 12.

The same remarks which I have directed Mr. Riotte to make to the Costa Rican government you are authorized to express to that of Guatemala.

Any formal and authorized offer will be fairly submitted to the parties concerned; and when their own election shall have been made, every possible facility will be extended to enable them to consummate their wishes.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

E. O. Crosby, Esq., &c., &c., &c.