Watson Webb to William H. Seward, April 25, 1868

Mr. Webb to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose the official replies of “the allies” to my renewal of our tender of our “good offices.” Circumstances beyond my control render it impossible to furnish translations by this steamer, and therefore I forward the original.

“The allies” assume that the war in the river Plata is virtually at an end. The future call upon them for men and money will be the best commentary upon the accuracy of this assumption.

Joáo Silviera de Souza has been appointed minister of foreign affairs, vice Albuquerque, deceased.

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Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Senhor Ellauri to Mr. Webb.

Mr. Minister: The Oriental government had the honor to receive, in due time, your communication, dated the 1st of February last, addressed to the President of the republic, and containing a copy of your note to the minister of foreign affairs for the empire of Brazil, renewing, by order of your government, your good offices for the settlement of the war now carried on by the allied countries against Paraguay, hoping, by an amicable intervention of the United States, to come to a solution that may prove satisfactory to the belligerents.

Recent lamentable events that have occurred in this city, now known to the world, deeply disturbed the government internally, and prevented a more prompt reply to your important communication; but now that the country is restored to its constitutional order, the President thinks this a propitious” moment to answer your note, and instructs the undersigned to do so in the following manner:

Some time ago the worthy minister of the United States, in the name of his government, sent to the minister of the republic a communication similar to the one you have just sent, expressing a sincere wish to settle the question now debated between the allied countries and Paraguay in a just and honorable manner.

At that time the provisional government regretted to be obliged, for reasons communicated to your government through its minister, to reject the mediations so freely and sincerely offered.

We are sorry to say, Mr. Minister, that the same reasons still exist for refusing the pacific proposition of your government, and therefore the President, through the undersigned, respectfully informs you that it is impossible to take the note of the United States government into consideration in such a manner as to receive the proposed result, because the same reasons given to your government by our minister for not accepting the proposal still exist. All we can say in this communication is to request you to thank your government, in the name of this republic, for the new proof of friendship and interest for the well-being of this country which has just been received from the North American government.

Moreover, Mr. Minister, the latest news from the seat of war, announcing that the Brazilian squadron had passed the battery of Humaita, gives good cause to expect a speedy conclusion of the war.

Having thus replied to your communication, by order of his excellency the President, the undersigned has the honor to present you the assurance of his very high and distinguished consideration.