Alexander S. Asboth to General J. Watson Webb, January 14, 1867

Mr. Asboth to Mr. Webb

Sir : I had the honor to acquaint you officially, by my letter of January 2d, that in pursuance of instructions received from the Department of State, I addressed on the 1st instant a note to the Argentine minister for foreign affairs relative to the willingness of the United States government to give their good offices towards the termination of the ravages of the Paraguayan war.

This day, however, I have received your private note of January 5th, and as it seems to indicate some apprehension on your part as to my correct interpretation of the views of our government on this subject, I beg leave to enclose hereby a full copy of my note above alluded to, anxious as I am for the existence of a proper harmony of action between the several representatives of the United States government to whom this delicate task has been simultaneously confided. In the hope that you will share this, my anxiety, and attaching due weight to your standing and well-matured experience, I beg to be favored, in return, with a copy of the note or notes you may have passed to the Brazilian government in reference to this matter. Such co-operation heartily continued would certainly obviate many difficulties and facilitate the realization of the humane wishes of our government for the benefit, of ail the contending parties.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,