Mr. Seward to Mr. Kilpatrick.
Sir: Your despatch of the 2d of July, No. 12, has been received. I have read with care the correspondence between yourself and Mr. Covarrubias, contained in that paper. It was entirely proper on your part to correct the errors affecting yourself, which were found in the statement made by the Spanish Admiral Nunez concerning your proceedings on the occasion of the bombardment [Page 419] of Valparaiso; and in executing that purpose you have my approval. At the same time I think that, on recurring to the communication which, in so executing that purpose, you addressed to Mr. Covarrubias, you will see that it contains some expressions concerning Admiral Nunez and his government which manifest a want of consideration of the customary proprieties of diplomatic intercourse. The observance of those proprieties in every case is not at all incompatible with the presentation of truth and the practice of the highest fidelity to the government you represent. When a representative of the United States abroad thinks that he has cause of personal complaint against a representative of another state, he is always expected to refer the complaint to his own government, since he can never be expected to speak otherwise than under instructions from the President.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Judson Kilpatrick, Esq., &c., &c., &c.