[Extract.]

Mr. Lidgerwood to Mr. Seward.

No. 16.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, upon the 5th instant, of your despatch No. 170, of April 21,1866, with its enclosure, a copy of despatch of 21st April, No. 45, to Charles A. Washburn, esq., Paraguay.

In compliance with the instructions received therein, relative to the hindrance and detention of Charles A. Washburn, esq., minister resident of the United States to the republic of Paraguay, at or near Corrientes, on his return, after a leave of absence, to Asuncion, by the allied forces in the war against Paraguay, I brought the subject to the notice of the imperial government in a note to the minister of foreign affairs, dated July 7, 1866, and herewith enclose a copy of same, marked W.

The despatch No. 170 arrived three days after the arrival of the English mail steamer, and several days after United States mail packet. Its envelope bore no post-mark, and was brought to me by private hands.

* * * * * * *

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

WILLIAM VAN VLECK LIDGERWOOD. Chargé d’ Affaires.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

[Page 313]

W.

Mr. Lidgerwood to Mr. Saraiva.

The undersigned, acting Chargé d’affaires of the United States, has the honor to communicate to his excellency José Antonio Saraiva, councillor to his imperial Majesty, minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs, &c., &c., that the government of the United States has learned with much surprise that Charles A. Washburn, esq., minister resident of the United States to the republic of Paraguay, has been hindered and detained at or near Corrientes, on the Parana river, by the allied forces engaged in the war against Paraguay, on his return, after a leave of absence, to Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, and, at the same time, expresses the sincere hope to learn that the Emperor of Brazil had neither ordered nor approved of this hindrance to the passage of the diplomatic representative of the United States, which is regarded as wanting in that respect due to the United States, and is entirely inconsistent with the law of nations.

Complying with the instructions received from the government which the undersigned has the honor to represent, he desires that the subject may be brought to the notice of his imperial Majesty the Emperor and the imperial government, and deeply regrets that an occasion should have arisen which makes it his duty to ask for an explanation, but which he does with a feeling of confidence that no ill-advised act of any of the officers of the allied forces could be approved by the imperial government which was in the slightest degree lacking in consideration for a minister of the United States, between which nation and the empire of Brazil there exists such a mutually friendly and growing interest.

The undersigned is happy to avail himself of this opportunity to express to his excellency Conselheiro Saraiva the renewed assurances of his personal esteem and most distinguished consideration.

WILLIAM VAN VLECK LIDGEEWOOD.

His Excellency José Antonio Saraiva, Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., &c.