Allan A. Burton to William H. Seward, November 18, 1866

Mr. Burton to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to enclose the annexed circular addressed by Colombia, nominally, on the 2d of last September—but it has probably been antedated—to the nations engaged in the existing war with Paraguay.

It will be seen that Colombia declares it impossible for her government and people to remain indifferent should the war waged by the allied powers have for its object or tend in its effects to impair the independence or sovereignty of Paraguay.

It is not likely that this declaration will have any marked influence on the course of the war, as Colombia has neither a man nor a dollar to employ in making it good, which is well known to the parties addressed. The declaration is perhaps only the outbreaking of one of President Mosquera’s fits of supercilious vanity, which in him are irrepressible.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,