Mr. Seward to Mr. Tassara.
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of Mr. Tassara, of the 17th instant, stating that the monitor Idaho, belonging to the government of the United States, is getting ready, and is soon to go out armed, for Peru or Chili, under pretext of having been sold to Japan, and will thank Mr. Tassara to inform him what other information, if any, he has in his possession in regard to the port or place at which the Idaho is, and from which she is expected to sail, and also to furnish him with any reference to evidence of such design, and the party or parties concerned.
The undersigned offers to Mr. Tassara assurances of his high consideration.
Señor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara, &c., &c., &c.