Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part II

Mr. Seward to Mr. Corwin

No. 68.]

Department of State, Washington, February 25, 1863.

Sir: Your despatch of the 27th ultimo (No. 38) has been received.

The printed document herewith enclosed, Senate executive, No. 24, of the present session, contains correspondence upon the subject of the purchase in the United States of munitions of war by the belligerents in Mexico, which will correctly inform you of the position taken by this government.

Besides the information thus disclosed, it is understood that the Secretary of War has since placed such a construction upon the executive order as to make it applicable to certain articles much needed by the French in the prosecution of their hostilities in Mexico.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Thomas Corwin, Esq.