Mr. Seward to Mr. Van Limburg.
Sir: I have received your note of the 19th instant, representing that you had been instructed to ascertain if free persons of African extraction in the United States could not be induced to repair as laborers to the Netherlands colony of Surinam, and inquiring as to the disposition of this government on that subject.
In reply, I have to state that it is believed the demand for laborers of that class in the military and naval service of the United States alone is sufficient to outweigh any inducement to their emigration abroad likely to be offered by foreign countries.
By acts of the last session of Congress, however, authority has been given to the Executive to enter into contracts with the representatives of governments having possessions in the West India islands to receive there, not only Africans captured in vessels engaged in the slave trade, but also of freed persons in the United States of African descent. If your government should be disposed to [Page 635] enter into such contracts, you are recommended to apply to the Secretary of the Interior, who has been charged with that business on the part of the government of the United States.
I am, sir, your very obedient servant,
Mr. Roest Van Limburg, &c., &c., &c. Detroit.