Mr. Seward to Mr. de Stoeckl
Sir: By a letter of yesterday, General Grant, the Acting Secretary of War, expressed a desire to be informed as to the extent of the accommodations for troops and their supplies which will he turned over to the United States by the Russian government at Sitka, and at any other points which it is deemed necessary should be garrisoned by the United States. This information is important, in view of the fact that the season will have advanced too far to admit of the erection of suitable buildings after our troops shall have reached there.
As it is presumed that the commissioner of the imperial government is well informed on this subject, I beg that you will enable me to reply to the inquiry of the Acting Secretary of War.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my highest consideration.
Mr. Edward de Stoeckl, &c., &c., &c.