Mr. Warren to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 9 and 10.
I have deferred any communication to this government of the contents of your No. 10, as the other claim still lags tediously in its adjustment.
The ministry have, of late, been much occupied in arranging with certain parties a concession for a bank. I think all the leading conditions are agreed upon, although final and positive action is yet delayed. This will place the treasury in a more flush condition, and make more easy the settlement of both old and new debts. With the false system of finance to which they seem inflexibly wedded, they are always delinquent and always destitute of money. Realty and personalty pay nothing to aid the government.
Imports, with aguardiente and tobacco monopolies, with some insignificant stamp duties, are the only sources of revenue.
The country, however, prospers, and in spite of the clogs of church and civil politics, the resources of the soil have an unusual and still progressing development.
I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.