Mr. Tassara to Mr. Seward
The undersigned, minister plenipotentiary of her Catholic Majesty, has the honor to bring to the knowledge of the honorable the Secretary of State that, agreeably to official communications which he has received from Madrid, the order has been given to the captain general of Cuba to deliver the war vessel Stonewall to the person whom the government of the United States may commission for that purpose, the due formalities intervening.
In this action the government of her Majesty judges that the reasons adduced in the note of the 30th of May last, from your department, are not sufficient to found the right of re-vindication which that of the United States believes it has over the forementioned vessel. Animated, nevertheless, by the same noble and loyal sentiments which it has shown during the four years of the war, happily terminated in this country, it omits entering into a discussion without object, and the Stonewall is placed at the disposal of the government of the United States.
With reference to the security for the expenses to the commander of the Stonewall of sixteen thousand hard dollars, which sum, having been considered as the sole and special cause of the surrender of the vessel, it is to be believed that the government of the United States will not refuse to reimburse it, it being [Page 574] understood, nevertheless, that this is not a condition for the delivery of the Stonewall, which delivery is, and must be considered, absolutely unconditional.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to reiterate to the honorable Secretary of State the assurance of his highest consideration.
The Hon. Secretary of State of the United States, &c., &c., &c.,