Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Your dispatch, No. 106, reached me in this city on the 14th instant, and I immediately addressed a note on the 15th to Mr. Arrazola, asking for an interview for the purpose of making the communication therein directed to be made, but owing to some mistake which Mr. Arrazola explained to me this morning, he did not personally have knowledge of my communication until yesterday, nor until I had addressed a second note to him, which I did on the 17th, and he appointed this morning at eleven for giving me an audience. At the time indicated, I went with the purpose of making the communication to him, but found him fully advised of what I had proposed to inform him, as he had previously been fully informed thereof, as he told me, by Mr. Goñi, the Spanish minister in Washington. Mr. Arrazola expressed himself highly gratified at this new proof of the persistent friendship of the United States, and having expressed a desire that I should make my communication to him in writing, and promised to make his answer thereto in the same manner, I acceded to his suggestion, and shall forthwith put my communication to him in that form, and as soon as I get an answer from him will communicate the same to you.
With much respect, yours,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.