Mr. Hovey to Mr. Seward
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that on the 21st instant congress passed a law, which, literally translated, runs thus:
The executive will continue the war against the Spanish government, until congress may otherwise direct.
A proposition was rejected which was couched in the following terms:
The executive will enter in no direct or indirect official communication with the Spanish government, nor admit the mediation or friendly offices of any American or European government, until the government of Spain shall have declared its acts of the 14th April, 1864, at the Chineha islands, and of the 30th March, 1866, at Valparaiso, violations of international law, and by way of ratifying that declaration shall have communicated it diplomatically to friendly governments, and shall have retired the Spanish squadron from the waters of the Pacific.
As soon as a ministry is formed, I will, of course, be informed officially of this decision, but in the mean time I beg to lay it before you for your information.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.