Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Third Session of the Fortieth Congress

Rear-Admiral Davis to President Lopez.

United States Flag-ship Wasp, (4th rate,) In front of Angostura, Paraguay, December 7, 1868.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s letter of the 6th instant.

In obedience to your excellency’s wishes I shall appoint two superior officers, one of them the chief of my staff, to witness the verification of the declaration of the accused, Bliss and Masterman, and I shall be ready to receive the accused on board of my flagship at the time appointed by your excellency.

These officers will be at your excellency’s command on the morning of the 8th instant.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your excellency’s most obedient servant,

C. H. DAVIS, Rear-Admiral Commanding the Naval Forces of the United States in the South Atlantic.

His Excellency Marshal Don Francisco Solano Lopez, President of the Republic of Paraguay.