William H. Seward to L. de Geofroy, August 23, 1864

Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy

Sir: With reference to the case of A. Cauvet, which was the subject of your note to this department of the 18th ultimo, I have the honor to communicate a report from the Adjutant General to the Secretary of War, of the 20th instant, and the documents by which it was accompanied.

Mr. Stanton, in his letter to this department, transmitting the report, expresses an opinion that these papers show:

First. That no person bearing the name of A. Cauvet (the name furnished by you) has at any time been in the military service of the United States.

Second. That if the person entered upon the muster-rolls as E. Caulet be the person referred to by you, the War Department was misled in its investigation by the information which you furnished, or by the false designation of himself given by the signature of A. Cauvet.

This department sees no reason to withhold its concurrence in this opinion. The Secretary of War also expresses what seems to be a just sensibility, that the authorities of his department should, upon ex parte representations only, have been charged with kidnapping Cauvet, whose case is claimed to have been as promptly, diligently, and impartially examined as, under the circumstances, was practicable.

I feel confident that you will authorize me to assure him that you have not designed to be understood as adopting that imputation.

The report of the Adjutant General being an original paper, I would be obliged by the return of it, and of the papers which accompany it, when you shall have done with them.

Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration,