Mr. Perry to Mr. Seward
Sir: Mr. Benavides has so far recovered his health as to be able to resume the discharge of his official duties as minister of state.
Yesterday was his first reception of the members of the foreign diplomatic corps since his return to Madrid, and I took this occasion to read to him your important instruction No. 86, of April 4, concerning the project for the neutralization of Hayti and San Domingo.
Mr. Benavides said he was not surprised by your decision, which was in complete consonance with the traditional policy of the United States in such matters.
Some days previous I had seen Mr. Madion, Haytien minister at this court, to whom I also read your instruction. Mr. Madion was pleased with the tone of it, but thought that your decision would be the cause of the failure of the plan, as the other powers were all dependent upon what the United States should consent to do.
The fact was, that the agreement of the United States to the project was the one thing essential on which the success of the whole project hinged, and this failing, though the United States should look with pleasure upon the realization of the plan by other powers, none of these would move. He therefore considered that the whole project would have to be abandoned without more trouble in the matter.
Mr. Benavides also said that, in his opinion, in the absence of the co-operation of the United States, nothing would be done.
Sir John Crampton, the English minister at this court, who had also been consulted in this business, expressed to me in conversation, also, that there would nothing come of it.
With the highest respect, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington.