Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton, May 23, 1863

Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton

Sir: Your despatch of May 8th (No. 305) has
been received. It is proper for me to correct a misapprehension into
which you seem to have been led by some remarks of Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys,
namely, that I had suggested to Mr. Mercier, with a view to the action
of the French government, a blockade of Matamoras. This is erroneous.
Any suggestion of that kind that may have reached Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys
from Mr. Mercier must have been made from impressions of his own, and on
his own authority, although it is not improbable that he conceived the
thought as the result of a free conversation with me, in which I
mentioned, with some earnestness, the difficulties we sustain in seeing
that the neutral port of Mexico is used as the entrepôt for munitions of
war, which, if we attempt to seize them, are covered by the pretence
that they are designed for another belligerent, while, if we let them
pass on that ground, they are received and used for our destruction. It
will not be necessary for you to make any explanations to Mr. Drouyn de
l’Huys on the subject. Mr. Mercier will doubtlessly do that.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,