Geo. N. Davis to J. Watson Webb, Envoy Extraordinary and, July 1, 1868

Admiral Davis to Mr. Webb.

Dear Sir: Acting under instructions from the Secretary of the Navy, I recently sent the United States steamer Wasp, of my squadron, to the seat of war for the purpose of taking Mr. Washburn out of Paraguay, in compliance with a request from the Secretary of State to relieve Mr. Washburn from his embarrassing and probably dangerous situation. The commander-in-chief, Marquis de Caxias, declines to allow the Wasp to go up to Paraguay, and while he professes a desire to facilitate Mr. Washburn’s departure, he proposes such methods of accomplishing it as are regarded by Mr. Washburn either as impracticable or illusory. It would be very gratifying to me, as a means of carrying out the wishes of the department, and very acceptable to Mr. Washburn, whose desire to leave Paraguay shows itself plainly in his letters, if you would procure an order from the government here to the commander-in-chief to allow the Wasp to go up the Paraguay to a convenient point of embarcation.

President Lopez offers no obstacles to Mr. Washburn’s departure, but, on the contrary, promises to aid it.

The inclosed copies of a correspondence with Mr. Washburn and the Marquis de Caxias will make you acquainted with the relations of the parties, and will save my writing a long letter.

Very respectfully and truly, your friend and obedient servant,