Mr. Seward to Mr. Koerner.

No. 82.]

Sir:Tour despatch of the 27th of March, No. 85, has been received. Your proceedings therein related, in reference to the denial of Mr. Tassara’s request in the matter of equipments, and also your views in the matter of Mr. Cazneau’s claim on the Spanish government, are approved.

I thank you for the interesting information you have given concerning existing domestic questions in Spain.

It is true that Mr. Preston has gone to Mexico, as a pretended legate of the insurgents, to the so-called regency of the empire. They are very enterprising in diplomacy, but their success there is not greatly to be feared, unless they should retrieve misfortunes sustained on the battle-field. Spain has heretofore had opportunity to understand the slaveholders of the United States. It is not less her own interest than it is ours that she shall not suffer herself to be misled by them. What resistance could Mexico, now or at any future time, offer, with even European aid, against the slaveholding power of the United States, if it could escape destruction and attain independence in the present civil war?

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Gustavus Koerner, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Madrid.