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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