[Translation.—Extract.]
Mr. Tassara to Mr. Seward
Legation of Spain at
Washington, Washington,
January 16, 1865,
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of her
Catholic Majesty, has the honor to place in the hands of the honorable
Secretary the copy of a communication, dated the 5th instant, which he
has received from the captain general of Cuba, in answer to him about
the business of the scheme, denounced through the consul of the United
States at Halifax, for capturing vessels of this country at different
points on the Atlantic and Pacific, to which the note of 21st December
from your department refers.
As the honorable Secretary will see, at the moment when the communication
from this legation was received at Cuba the captain general sent the
secretary of that government to say to the consul of the United States
that at any hour of the day or night he would find him ready to listen
to any revelation he might have to make to him, continuing besides to
make investigations, and seasonably communicating results. * * * *
The honorable Secretary of State may, therefore, rest assured that if, in
fact, the existence of any similar scheme tamed, they, said authorities,
will do all they should to frustrate it, so far as their jurisdiction
reaches.
The undersigned avails of this occasion to reiterate to the honorable
Secretary of state the assurances of his highest consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, &c., &c.,
&c.,
[Translation.—Extract.]
SUPERIOR CIVIL GOVERNMENT OP THE EVER FAITHFUL ISLAND OF
CUBA.-POLITICAL BUREAU.
Your Excellency: I am informed by the
letter from your excellency, No 42 dated 25th December fort, in reference to the existence of a plan
supposed to be formed by confederate agents, which is denounced by
the consul of the United States at Halifax, for the capture of
merchant vessels of that nation, especially those which carry
treasure.
Whenever the consul of that nation at this place has had recourse to
my authority that I might extend to him aid or protection, he has
found me disposed to cause as is he will of our government, the most
strict neutrality to be respected. But by reason of the
communication from your excellency, I directed the secretary of this
superior government to
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have a personal interview with the consul of the United States,
making known to Mm in my name that whenever
he might have the slightest advices of any act which might be
contemplated to contravene the neutrality mentioned, he should
immediately advise me of it, although it should be in the hours
dedicated to the repose of night, assured that the complaint would
be always attended to—demonstrating to him by my arrangements the
good faith which inspires our government in favor of our
international relations.
God and liberty.
Habana, January 5,
1865.
DOMINGO DULCE,
His Excellency the Minister of her
Majesty, at Washington
