Mr. Seward to Mr. Washburn
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 24th of March, No. 83. That paper contains your reply to a communication that was transmitted to you from this department on the 23d of October last. The subject discussed in your despatch is the energy and discretion with which you executed the instructions of this department in returning to the seat of your mission in Paraguay; and, incidentally, whether Admiral Godon and the allied enemies of Paraguay ought not to be held responsible for a delay which was uncomfortable and injurious to yourself, as well as singularly embarrassing to this government. I have, with pleasure, placed the explanation upon record. You are, by this time, fully aware that not only the correspondence between this department and yourself, but also the correspondence between this department and its legations at Rio and Buenos Ayres, as well as the communication between the Navy Department and Admiral Godon, was dislocated and rendered practically inefficient and unavailing during the whole of the year past by accidents equally unforeseen and uncontrollable here. Under these circumstances the department pursued the important objects which it had exclusively in view—which were, first, to secure your safe and early return to your residence in Paraguay; and, second, while treating the allied enemies of Paraguay with becoming moderation, the maintenance of the honor and. dignity of the United States, which were threatened to be compromised by the opposition you encountered from those belligerents. In the midst of so many accidents, difficulties, and obstructions, it was not thought wise by this department to digress into a controversy, on your behalf, with Admiral Godon, or with any other person, upon matters merely incidental, and, in a considerable degree, personal. Admiral Godon could not rightly have been censured by the President, without being first heard in defence against your representations tending to cast responsibility upon him. Neither the time nor circumstances of the case seemed favorable to such an investigation. The instructions which were from time to time given to you for your own direction were such as seemed necessary in view of your situation, so distant and so very imperfectly understood. Care was taken to avoid censure of either yourself or Admiral Godon. With these remarks, I am directed by the President to dismiss the subject.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles A. Washburn, Esq., &c., &c., &c.