Mr. Seward to Señor de Santa Anna
The Secretary of State has had the honor to receive from General de Santa Anna, formerly president of Mexico, a communication in which he states that he wishes to visit Washington, and that he would be pleased to know if he will be received as a private gentleman by the Secretary of State.
The distinguished gentleman is hereby informed that insomuch as his attitude towards the republican government of Mexico, with which the United States maintain diplomatic intercourse, is pronounced by the President of Mexico to be unfriendly towards the government of the republic, a reception of the general in any character, at the present time, by the Secretary of State, would be incompatible with the settled practice and habits of the executive department of the United States.
Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, New York.