Mr. Seward to Mr. Sullivan.

No. 8.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 7thultimo, inclosing copies of the correspondence between yourself andour consul at Carthagena in relation to the steamer Rayo, formerly theR. R. Cuyler.

This government having been informed by General Salgar, minister, &c., of the United States of Colombia, that his government had entered into a contract for the purchase of the R. R. Cuyler, to be delivered at one of the ports of Colombia, and the bond authorized to be required by the neutrality act, that the vessel should not be employed to cruise or commit hostilities against the subjects, citizens, or property of any state with whom the United States are at peace, having been duly executed, she was permitted to sail upon her voyage, in the expectation that she would become a public armed vessel of the United States of Colombia. It is understood that the delivery was completed in one of the harbors of that republic, and that she has since borne the Colombian flag. She will therefore not be recognized as an American vessel until she shall obtain a new register in the United States as the property of some of our citizens.

Those of her officers and crew who were citizens of the United States have not forfeited that character by the mere circumstance of taking service under the United States of Colombia, though so long as they remain in that service they must content themselves with such protection as it affords.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Peter J. Sullivan, Esq., &c., &c., &c.