Important Circulars

WASHINGTON, May, 4. – The following important circulars have been addressed to the foreign Ministers announcing the reopening of commerce with Southern localities reconquered from the Insurgents:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

WASHINGTON, May 4.

SIR:  I have the honor to state for your information that the mails are allowed to pass to and from New Orleans and other places which having been heretofore seized by insurgents have since been recovered and are now reopened to the land and naval forces of the United States.  It is proposed however to add that a military surveillance is maintained over such mails as far as the Government finds it necessary for the public safety.

I am sir, your obedient servant,

(Signed.)  WM. H. SEWARD

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

WASHINGTON, May 4.

SIR:  I have the honor to state for the information of your Government that a Collector has been appointed by the President for New Orleans, and that the necessary preparations are being made to modify the blockade so far as to permit limited shipments to be made and from that and one or more other ports which are now closed by blockade at times and upon conditions which will be made known by proclamation.

I am your ob’t serv’t;

(Signed.)  WM H. SEWARD

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4