Mr. Seward to Mr. Asboth.
Sir: On the 8th of February last Charles A. Washburn, esq., resident minister of the United States in Paraguay, wrote to this department that he had been hindered and prevented by the military authorities of the Argentine Republic and the military authorities of Brazil from passing up the river Parana to Asuncion.
The President having taken cognizance of these discourteous proceedings, special instructions were given to Mr. Washburn and to Admiral Godon for their government in case the hindrance should be continued. You were, at the same time, instructed to bring the transaction to the notice of the government of the Argentine Republic, and to ask for an explanation. A similar instruction was given to Mr. Webb, United States minister in Brazil. We have now received a despatch from Mr. Washburn, written at Corrientes on the 27th of April, by which we are informed that the hindrance was not only continued but renewed at that time by the direct action of the President of the Argentine Republic, and also of the admiral commanding the Brazil fleet on the Parana river. Of course you will perceive that at the time that despatch was written neither of the before-mentioned instructions from this government to Mr. Washburn, to Admiral Godon, to Mr. Webb, and to yourself could have reached its destination. I am obliged to write, therefore, in ignorance of the present condition of affairs in South America; nevertheless, the sovereignty and honor of the United States will admit of no hesitation or delay in the matter. Mr. Washburn is, therefore, now instructed to return at once to the United States, if the hindrance before alluded to shall not have ceased through some proceeding of the governments concerned.
In the possible case that you shall have put into execution the before-mentioned instruction, which was given to you by this department on the 21st of April last, and shall not have received the satisfactory explanation which you were instructed to ask from the government of the Argentine Republic, you will now demand such explanations peremptorily. If they shall not be given to you within eight days, you will ask for passports to return to the United States.
Should you find it necessary to execute this instruction, you will read it and give a copy of it to the minister for foreign affairs.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Alexander Asboth, Esq., &c., &c., &c.