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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Speed

Department of State, Washington, October 2, 1865.

Sir: I Have the honor to enclose herewith an extract from despatch No. 13, of September 10, 1865, received from William H. Corwin, esq., the chargé d’affaires of the United States in Mexico, and also translations of the decrees recently issued by the party exercising authority in the city of Mexico, in relation to the immigration and colonization in that country, referred to in that despatch.

I submit these papers with the view of ascertaining whether, under said decrees, peonage or any other form of slavery can be instituted in Mexico.

I. will thank you for an opinion at your earliest convenience.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Hon. James Speed, Attorney General of the United States.