Mr. Seward to Mr. Hovey.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 31st of May, No. 24.
The manner in which you have executed my instructions of the 21st of April is entirely approved by the President.
The note which you addressed to Mr. Pacheco in the performance of that duty is approved. The spirit and tenor of the remarks which you made concerning the same subject to the ministers of Chili, Bolivia, and Ecuador are approved. It is proper, however, to say that, notwithstanding this approval, the President reserves to himself entire freedom in regard to the course which it may be deemed proper to pursue, if his agency shall be desired by the belligerents in South America to facilitate the restoration of peace.
Mr. Pacheco’s reply to your note has been laid before the President. For the present we wait for an expression of the views of the governments of Chili Bolivia, and Ecuador.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Alvin P. Hovey, Esq., &c., &c., &c.