Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: Your despatches from No. 465 to No. 468, both inclusive, are duly received.
No. 466, enclosing the copy of a despatch from Mr. Lane, United States consul at Vera Cruz, and the protest of José Wallace Smith, referred to therein, were immediately communicated by me to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys. These complaints, like that referred to in your No. 465, (the imprisonment of Mr. Mansfield, our consul at Tabasco,) ha said must be referred by him to the French authorities in Mexico before he could give an answer. But he assured me these matters should be promptly investigated. It will, of course, be some considerable time before a report on these cases can be received from Mexico.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State.