Watson Webb to William H. Seward, July 22, 1868

Mr. Webb to Mr. Seward.

Sir: By the steamer to Marseilles on the 15th I wrote to the legation in London to telegraph to you that immediately after the sailing of the English steamer to Southampton I received a response to my demand of the 1st, which you have. * * * * I inclose it with the translation used, tied together, and marked No. 1.

After the receipt of this dispatch, I was waited upon by one of the under-secretaries of foreign affairs to talk over matters. Our interview, however, had no result, except that I told him plainly that the ministry had no alternative but to recede from their position and let the Wasp go up, quarrel with the United States, or resign.

* * * * * * *

Saturday, July 25, 1868.

I had another interview with Mr. Souza yesterday, in the hope that I might make sufficient impression upon this government to induce it to recede, but it is all in vain.

* * * * * * *

You will probably receive this on the 22d or 23d of August. The French mail steamer sails from Bordeaux on the 25th, and from Lisbon on the 28th of August, and of course a telegram, with information, instruction, &c., &c., put on board by our minister or consul, would reach me on the 16th of September. In like manner a telegram to our minister in London or Lisbon, to leave Southampton on the 19th or Lisbon on the 12th September, would reach me on the 2d October; while I could not receive a reply to this by our steamer until the 20th October, unless indeed it should anive in time to send a response by the steamer of 22d August. * * *

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,