Mr. Seward to Mr. Prevost.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 1, of the 27th of January last, with its three enclosures, A, B, and C, in which you inform me of your appointment as acting secretary of the legation of the United States in Ecuador, by Mr. Frederick Hassaurek, the late minister resident to that republic, this measure having been rendered necessary to enable you to receive from the government of Ecuador the payments of the awards made in behalf of citizens of the United States, under the convention of November 25th, 1862, as they shall become due by instalments, and until otherwise instructed. The appointment thus made by Mr. Hassaurek meets the approbation of this department.
In reply to the request you make for instructions, I have to direct that you remit to this department the amount of the first instalment, which became due on the 17th ultimo, should it have been paid to you, by purchasing good bills upon England. In the event, however, of the failure of Ecuador to meet its obligations, you will protest against the violation of the stipulations of the convention of 1862, and report the facts to this department.
Your despatches Nos. 2 and 3 have likewise been received, and are deemed very interesting.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Louis V. Prevost, Esq., &c., &c., &c.