Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Seward
Sir: I had the honor, on June 10th, to express the anxiety felt by my government to obtain the assistance of the cruisers of the United States in putting down the slave trade, and their hope that the time had arrived when the treaty of July, 1862, in this respect, might be carried into effect.
Your reply, while expressing a desire to postpone the consideration of this subject for reasons the justice of which were only too evident, encouraged me to bring the proposal again to your notice, now that I understand you can entertain it without inconvenience.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.