[Translation.]

Mr. Stoeckl to Mr. Seward

Mr. Secretary of State: At the interview which I had yesterday the honor to have with you, you had the kindness to authorize me to ask some explanations on the subject of the export of cotton from the insurgent States. In the regulation on this subject it is said that the federal government will grant permits to persons who wish to buy cotton to pass the lines, either to enter the insurgent States or to leave them. Will the same facility be accorded to agents of Russian manufacturers?

In the same regulation it is stipulated that the cotton purchased at the south, and carried into territory occupied by federal troops, can only be sold to agents of the government of the United States, who will have the privilege of reselling to individuals. If, under these conditions, a Russian subject buys cotton, can he claim, of right, that this cotton shall be resold to him after having paid the twenty-five per cent, profit to the federal government?

I should be greatly obliged to the Secretary of State if he will give me explanations on these two points, so that I may transmit them to my government in communicating to it the measures which have been adopted by the federal, government upon the export of cotton.

Please to accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the renewed assurances of my very high consideration.

STOECKL.

Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.