Mr. Barreda to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication of the 8th instant, transmitting copies of circular letters addressed to the attorneys of the United States, and to the governors of the States of the United States formerly slave States, on the subject of attempts being made to induce freedmen to move to foreign countries, and especially to Peru.
I can assure your excellency that, so far as my government is concerned, no inducement has been offered for the emigration of freedmen to Peru, and I must not conceal from your excellency that my government, as well as the people of my country, would deeply regret any movement that might tend to introduce, in any portion of Peruvian territory, a race that is not yet well prepared to contribute to the development of civilization and republican institutions on the South American continent.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.