[Extract.]
Mr. Lidgerwood to Mr. Seward.
No. 16.]
Legation of the United States,
Rio de Janeiro,
July 9, 1866.
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.
Legation of the United
States,
Rio de Janeiro,
July 7, 1866.
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.