Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have received the letter dated the 15th, in which you inform me, while transmitting to me the report of the military authorities, that the person [Page 227] named Cauvet, a French subject, whose discharge I had asked in the month of March last, was killed on the 18th of May, in the action at Drury’s Bluff.
It appears from an official communication from the Secretary of War, which your excellency had transmitted to me at the time, that at the date of the 12th April, sundry communications had been exchanged between his department and the chiefs of that corps respecting the said Cauvet, which communications have never been brought to my knowledge, from which I infer that they proved the fact of the kidnapping. At that period, therefore, the War Department knew what to do with respect to said Cauvet; it could have ordered his discharge, and it could readily do so, for the campaign had not yet commenced. Administrative delays, to be deplored, have retained him under the banners until he has there found death.
I limit myself to point out to your excellency this new fact, having furthermore nothing to add to the reflections which the analogous case of the seaman Martin have inspired me with, and which I submitted on the 6th of this month to your impartial appreciation.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my high consideration.
Hon. William H.Seward, &c., &c., &c.