Mr. Tassara to Mr. Seward
The undersigned, minister plenipotentiary of her Catholic Majesty, has the honor of informing the honorable Secretary of State that the captain general of Cuba received his note of the 5th of October, from the department, announcing the intention of sending a United States vessel to Havana to take charge of the Stonewall, and alluding also to another vessel, the Harriet Lane, previously seized by the rebels of this country and said now to be in Cuban waters.
In regard to the Stonewall, the captain general of Cuba answers on the 21st that, according to orders from the government of her Majesty, it would be delivered to any one presenting himself with proper authority, which most likely was done when Commander Murray appeared at Havana with the Rhode Island.
As to the Harriet Lane, the captain general says he does not know and he believes it is not his duty to inquire where she is, or how she was taken, nor whether she was sold by her captors or exists yet under another name, referring, on this point, to her Majesty’s government.
[Page 579]The captain general furthermore observes, that in treating of an act which occurred, in any case, during the war with the south, and which, of course, comes under the head of neutrality, any question that may arise about the Harriet Lane, through private negotiations since her capture, must be decided by a civil tribunal, and any one whom the government of the United States may empower to bring suit in our courts will be properly received; and the honorable Secretary of State may rest assured that the said attorney will have all necessary aid from the supreme authorities in Cuba, and that a faithful and impartial decision will be rendered by the court.
The captain general adds that this reclamation, as well as that relating to other property and goods of the same origin, referred to in the note of the 5th, may have no other foundation than various other reports of the acting consul general of the United States, Mr. Savage—reports of no better foundation than that of the vessel Maria Agnes, represented to have on board a cargo of confederate arms, which goes to show how hastily certain falsehoods are disseminated.
Finally, the captain general insists that, if the government of the United States thinks there is a good reason for it, an attorney be appointed to bring suits in the Cuban courts; and he will afford all possible facilities, as he has always done, to every application of the honorable Secretary of State.
The undersigned embraces this occasion to repeat to the honorable Secretary of State the assurances of his distinguished consideration.
Hon. Secretary of State of the United States, &c., &c., &c.,