Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton
Sir: Your despatch of February 6, No. 418, has been received, together with a copy of a memorandum which M. Drouyn de l’Huys has placed in your hands.
That memorandum is as follows: It is affirmed that a contract has been entered into between the Juarist authorities of the State of Tamaulipas and the federal authorities, in virtue of which the latter were to forward a certain quantity of arms and munitions of war in return for the delivery of several thousands of mules.
You very rightly expressed to M. Drouyn de l’Huys a disbelief of the fact stated in the paper I have recited. It is uncertain whether by the term “federal authorities” is meant the government of the United States, or only the agents of this government in the vicinity of Tamaulipas. If the former is intended, then you are authorized at once to declare that the allegation in the memorandum is without any foundation in fact. If the other condition is to be assumed, you will in that case inform M. Drouyn de l’Huys that, so far as the government, or any department of it, is informed, or has any reason to believe, the allegation is entirely untrue. That, if it were true, the proceedings would be in violation of the instructions of this government, and would be denounced and censured. Although no evidence of the allegation is presented, the attention of the Secretary of War has been called to the subject and due inquiries will be instituted.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.