Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 20th instant, in which you assume that the sending a few troops from Brownsville to Matamoras to protect treasure in the custody of the United States consul at the latter place, during the late civil conflict there, was contrary to the neutrality professed by this government, and which General Banks had been directed to observe in reference to affairs in Mexico. Without meaning to underrate the force of your remarks on this point, I deem it proper to postpone further discussion of this subject until such views of your government as may be formed, after a fair consideration of the correspondence which has already taken place, shall be made known to this department.

Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Mr. L. de Geofroy, &c., &c., &c.