| Summary: | In the letter Forsyth explains a proposal that would make Mobile the home port for a line of passenger and postal steamers from Mexico. He mentions Carlos Butterfield, who is working for the Mexican government to secure such a route. The U.S. government showed no interest in the plan before secession, but it is now encouraging Butterfield to select New York as the home port. Forsyth wants the new Confederate government to offer incentives so that Mobile will be chosen instead. He also encloses a letter from Butterfield, written February 15, 1861. In it Butterfield discusses the selection of a home port. He declares his support for the Confederacy, but his decision will be based on economics rather than politics: "My sympathy as you well know is with the South and I would not accept any offer from this side now unless actually compelled to do so for self protection."
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