Mr. Seward to Mr. Hale.
Sir: I have received your despatch No. 105, dated September 11th, concerning a recent order of the government of her Catholic Majesty declaring vessels arriving in Spain from all ports of the United States, without discrimination, to be infected, and imposing upon them severe quarantine restrictions.
Your despatch is accompanied by a copy of a note addressed by you to the minister of state of her Catholic Majesty, in which you very properly remonstrate against the unnecessary stringency of the order of the Spanish government, the humane object of which would, it is confidently believed, be fully effected should the order be so far modified as to exclude from its operation ports in the United States free not only from the existence of malignant disease, but from the suspicion thereof.
While it is not denied that the yellow fever prevails in a greater or less degree in the ports of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, it is certain that the disease has not extended to ports lying north of those named, by the proper authorities of which every necessary sanitary precaution has been taken to prevent its introduction.
Under these circumstances it is hoped that the Spanish government will favorably consider your suggestion for a modification of the order in question.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John P. Hale, Esq.,&c., &c., &c.