William H. Seward to Reverdy Johnson, November 7, 1868

Mr. Seward to Mr. Johnson

Sir: Your dispatch of the 17th of October, No. 35, has been received. It is accompanied by the protocol of a settlement of the northwest boundary controversy, commonly called the controversy in regard to the island of San Juan, in Puget sound. I have virtually replied to the dispatch by a cable telegram, of this date, in cipher, a copy of which is herewith given. I give you now a copy of a message which was sent by the President to the Senate of the United States on the 20th of February last, upon the subject of that controversy. On page 264 of that document you will find a copy of the letter which was written by Lord Lyons to Mr. Cass on the 10th of December, 1860, and to which letter reference is made in the aforementioned telegram. It is hardly necessary to explain further than I have done in my telegraphic dispatch the importance of having the President of Switzerland named in the San Juan protocol as arbiter.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,