Watson Webb to William H. Seward, July 7, 1868

Mr. Webb to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a communication from Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, commanding the United States South Atlantic squadron, in which he advises me that the United States steamer Wasp, sent by him to Asuncion to bring from there our minister, Mr. Charles A, Washburn, and family, and thereby remove them from their “embarassing and possibly dangerous situation,” has been prevented passing the lines of the allies by the Marquis de Caxias, the Brazilian commander of the allied forces.

You will perceive from the correspondence accompanying Admiral Davis’s communication, that the United States steamer Wasp arrived at Curupaiti, the headquarters of the allies, on the 25th of April, and remained there until the 11th of June, forty-seven days, when her commander was compelled to return to Montevideo without accomplishing the object of his visit, in consequence of the persevering refusal of the Marquis de Caxias to permit the steamer Wasp to pass up to Asuncion, although he was very willing to send a Brazilian iron-clad up the river under a flag of truce and the protection of the stars and stripes, to spy out the state of affairs in Paraguay. Nay, he was quite willing that on the return of the iron-clad she should, similarly protected, pass Humaita and land Mr. Washburn and family below that fortress, which iron-clad, it is said, cannot repass that stronghold!

The admiral’s report of what has occurred on the Paraguay was placed in my hands on the 1st day of July, and on the 2d, at 2 p. m., my private secretary and clerk of this legation placed in the hands of the minister of foreign affairs the official note of which inclosure B is a copy.

I assume that your opinions, as expressed in dispatches 170, 171, 174, and 180, and the instructions therein in regard to Mr. Washburn’s detention in going to his mission—there being no other mode of reaching it than by the Paraguay River—are equally binding upon me in regard to his return, when, at your request, a national vessel has been sent for him in the well-grounded conviction that “the settlement of this annoying question” in 1886 was a finality. The offense at that time perpetrated against the “sovereignty and honor of the United States” might be palliated on the plea of ignorance, but not so now; and consequently its repetition by the Marquis de Caxias, and the circumstances under which it has taken place, are doubly offensive, and doubtless are intended so to be. Such, at all events, is public opinion here; and as the fact of the Wasp’s return was officially known to this government and communicated to the press eight days before the admiral made his communication to me, and as up to this time it has not leaked out that I have moved in the matter, the triumph of Brazil is considered complete.

You will perceive by my note to the minister of foreign affairs that I assume the Marquis de Caxias has acted without authority, and that his conduct will be apologized for and disapproved; and, thereupon, I demand his censure in the language you used in instructing me to make a similar demand in reference to the conduct of the President of Maranham, and consequently I urge the immediate issue, of instructions to permit one of our national vessels to proceed to Asuncion without delay or hindrance from the allied forces at Curupaiti.

* * * * * *

I have recently asked for a furlough, and considering the state of my health and that of my family, there are those who, if I demanded my passport, would ascribe my doing so to my desire to return to the United States, even at the sacrifice of the peace of the country. To avoid this imputation, therefore, and at the same time be within reach of instructions from you, I shall, if compelled to demand my passport, repair to Buenos Ayres. * * * * *

Besides the mail line of steamers to Brazil, England has two commercial or freight lines to Rio. One of these, from Buenos Ayres, will touch here about the 12th instant. By that time the intentions of this government will have been communicated to me, and I shall of course write to our legation in London the necessary telegram, to be transmitted to you by the Atlantic cable.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,