William H. Seward to John Bigelow, February 21, 1865

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow

Sir: I transmit a copy of a letter of the 10th instant, and of the accompanying papers, addressed to this department by the Secretary of War, relative to the capture, in Mexican waters, by insurgents from Texas, of the steamer, Ark, when on a voyage from New Orleans to Matamoras. The abuses of the rights of neutrals which, throughout the present war, have been committed by trade with the pretended neutral port of Matamoras, and the open intercourse and unfeigned good understanding between inhabitants of that port and enemies of the United States in Texas, have materially served to prolong the war itself, and, in our opinion, would perhaps have justified, if not the seizure, at least the blockade of Matamoras, as a measure of self-protection.

Please call the attention of Mr. Drouyn de Lhuys to the subject, with a desire that neutrality may be vigorously enforced there by the French troops in occupation, and so remove a source of embarrassment which seems to be quite annoying.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,