William H. Seward to L. de Geofroy, June 21, 1864

Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy

Sir: With reference to the memorandum, without date, relative to an alleged traffic in articles contraband of war, through Brownsville, on the Rio Grande, with the agents of President Juarez, which was received from the legation of France on the 27th ultimo, I have the honor to state, for your information, that Major General Banks, to whom a translation of that paper was communicated, has apprised me that the subject has received attention; that arrests have been made, and that goods have been seized upon the supposition that they were destined for a contraband trade with Mexico; that Major General McClernand, commanding the 13th army corps, being absent in consequence of sickness, has requested that Major General Herron will be assigned to the command of that corps, and his quarters will be established in the State of Louisiana.

Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration.