Mr. Seward to Mr. Tassara.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 11th instant, relating to the steamer R. R. Cuyler, and other vessels which you apprehend are about to depart from New York in violation of the neutrality laws of the United States.

The steamer particularly referred to by you was seized by the revenue officers at the port of New York, in ignorance of the facts that the owners of the vessel, as well as the representative of the United States of Colombia accredited to this government, had several weeks since informed this department of the sale of the steamer, completely fitted as a man-of-war, to the United States of Colombia.

The evidence upon which the seizure was made has been examined by the Attorney General, who is of the opinion that it was insufficient to impeach the good faith of the transaction. As it appears, however, that the title to the vessel was not to pass to the United States of Colombia until the delivery of the steamer at one of the ports of that government, it has been determined that the owners shall, before the release of the vessel, be required to furnish the security prescribed by our neutrality laws that she will not be employed by them to cruise or commit hostilities against the subjects and property of any power with which the United States are at peace.

You may be assured that there will be no abatement of the vigilance which has been constantly exercised to prevent any violation by our citizens of their neutral obligations.

I am, sir, with the highest consideration, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Señor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara, &c., &c., &c.