Thursday, May 28, 2020

William H. Seward to Edwin M. Stanton, June 3, 1862

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,            
Washington, June 3, 1862.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, and thank you for the courtesy of the communication. In reply I have to acquaint you that this Department has already appointed Reverdy Johnson a commissioner to proceed to New Orleans to investigate complaints of foreign consuls against certain military proceedings of General Butler and to report to this Department.

I think it would be well to instruct Governor Shepley to afford all reasonable facilities to Mr. Johnson to perform the trust confided to him, and further instruct him that the utmost delicacy is required in transactions with consuls and with foreigners, so as to avoid not only just cause of complaint but groundless irritation in a critical conjuncture.

In making these suggestions I am by no means to be understood as prejudging, much less censuring, Major-General Butler, whose general course of administration seems to me to have been eminently judicious and energetic.

It would be advisable for Governor Shepley to refer to the Government at Washington any questions in the determination of which, or in proceedings pursuant thereto, there may be a reasonable doubt as to his authority.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 2 (Serial No. 123), p. 142

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