Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I yesterday communicated to Mr. Dronyn de l’Huys a copy of the letter from Mr. Mansfield, our consul at Tabasco, dated 10th of February last, and enclosed to me in your despatch No. 567, and I made this the basis of further [Page 110] complaint to him on the subject of Mr. Mansfield’s imprisonment. Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys said he had never been able to obtain any knowledge on the subject from Mexico, or the minister of marine. It would seem as if they there knew nothing, not even the existence of any such person as Mr. Mansfield. I told him that the complaint had been made long since, and it seemed to me if he had received nothing conflicting with the statements of Mr. Mansfield, it was but just and fair they should assume them as true, and act on them accordingly; that they could scarcely suppose, after this ill treatment of our consul, that we would be satisfied by the authorities simply ignoring the whole subject. He said that, with this additional communication now left with him, he would make one more effort for information and give me an answer.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.