Alexander S. Asboth to P. S—I beg leave to annex to my above report a newspaper extract from the “Standard” of this morning, relative to the departure of the Hon. Charles A. Washburn, marked L. A. ASBOTH, October 23, 1866

Well assured of the friendly feelings of the Argentine people and its government towards the United States, which sentiments were so warmly expressed by the vice-president in his reply to my introductory address, I thought it proper to make the first official demand of the United States representative near this government, in accordance with the instructions given in your despatch No. 104, to my predecessor, the Hon. Robert C. Kirk, as lenient as possible, fully determined, however, that in case the answer of the Argentine government should not be satisfactory for the sovereignty and honor of the United States, I would at once make my demand more peremptorily, in obedience to your subsequent orders directed to me, June 27th, marked No. 3, and received on my arrival here.

On the same day, the 22d instant, I received an invitation from the minister for foreign affairs, Señor Dr. Don Rufino de Elizalde, to meet him the following day, the 23d instant, at one o’clock, at the government house, for the puspose of holding a personal conference with him. A copy of this note I beg to enclose, marked D.

I accepted the invitation, and in the conversation, a memorandum of which I beg leave also herewith to enclose, marked E, Señor Elizalde stated that he was quite surprised to learn from my letter that the Brazilian government had given orders to their representatives in the river Plate to remove all obstructions to the passing of the Hon. Charles A. Washburn up to Asuncion, as at present he feels only authorized to offer Mr. Washburn a vessel to go as far as the Paso la Patria, and from there be conveyed through the lines under a flag of truce to Lopez’ encampment, from whence transportation to Asuncion would be easy. Señor Elizalde added, however, that he would consult the Brazilian minister, and if the Brazilians had no objection to Mr. Washburn’s passing in a United States war ship, the Argentine government would certainly not object. I expressed the hope that Señor Elizalde would honor me with an early official reply to my letter in relation to the detention of the United States minister to Paraguay which would be satisfactory to the sovereignty and honor of the United States. I also informed Señor Elizalde that I am under additional orders from my government, more imperative, respecting the affair, but that I refrained from giving them in my first address, well assured as I am of the friendly intentions of the Argentine people towards the United States.

A few hours after this interview, I received, yesterday afternoon, a despatch from the minister for foreign affairs, a copy of which I beg herewith to enclose, marked F. In this official communication the Argentine government gives the required explanation and concessions, with a letter of safe conduct as asked for, a copy of which letter of safe conduct I beg to enclose, marked G, also a copy of a note addressed by Señor R. de Elizalde to the Hon. Charles A. Washburn, in answer to a letter of his of the 13th of August ultimo, and offering him the means of conveyance to his post of duty, a copy of which letter I beg to enclose, marked H. I communicated this important result at once to the Hon. Mr. Washburn by letter, a copy of which I beg to enclose, marked I, placing with it an official copy of the said communication of Señor de Elizalde, as well as the original paper of safe conduct in the form of a letter to his excellency the President of the Argentine Republic, and commander-in-chief of the allied armies, General Bartolome Mitre, into the hands of our minister to Paraguay, the Hon. Charles A. Washburn, and he sailed accordingly this day at noon on the United States war steamer Shamokin.

Thus I consider the long annoyances of our minister to Paraguay, the Hon. Charles A. Washburn, of nearly a year’s standing, at an end, and the question of his passing the allied lines finally arranged with due regard and full satisfaction to the sovereignty and honor of the United States.

In conclusion, I beg leave to enclose a copy of the orders from Rear-Admiral S. W. Godon to Captain Peirce Crosby, commanding the Shamokin, marked K.

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