Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress, Part II

Mr. Seward to Mr. Tassara

Department of State, Washington, December 21, 1864.

The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to submit, for the information of Mr. Tassara, the accompanying copy of a despatch to this department, of the 13th instant, from the United States consul at Halifax, relative to a rebel organization for the purpose of seizing, plundering, and destroying American steamers and other vessels at different points on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and on the tipper lakes. It is stated, as Mr. Tassara will perceive, that the base of operations and headquarters of these desperadoes will hereafter be at Havana.

The undersigned offers to Mr. Tassara renewed assurances of his very high consideration.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Señor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara, &c., &c., &c.,