Mr. Seward to Mr. Asboth
Sir: Your despatches of April 10th, No. 20, and of April 12th, No. 21, have been received and submitted to the President, together with the important documents accompanying the same. From these papers the President has learned, with profound regret, that the Argentine Republic disallows the propositions made by the United States to the several belligerents for the termination of hostilities and the restoration of peace in the valley of the Parana and its tributaries. I have carefully read the note which you addressed to Mr. Elizalde on receiving his announcement of the decision of his government. What you have written in that note is very discreetly expressed and is in entire harmony with the views of this government, since its proceedings have been inspired by a sincere friendship to all the South American states and an earnest solicitude for the restoration of peace and harmony on the American continent. Your note is therefore approved. At the same time I think it proper to remind you that earnestness for the restoration of peace is not to be carried to the extent of invading the sovereignty or the dignity of the belligerents. Whether they would accept our well intentioned and friendly good offices was left to their own intelligent free choice. Nothing could be farther from the President’s purpose than an idea of imposing any constraint or bringing any national pressure to bear upon that choice.
Under these circumstances you will not be expected to press with undue importunity, at the present time, the tender of the good offices of this government to the Argentine Republic or to that of Uruguay. Retaining the same attitude, however, you will wait further instructions, unless some new and unforeseen conjuncture shall seem to render it likely that our good offices will have become more acceptable.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Alexander Asboth, Esq., &c., &c., &c.