Judah Benjamin, Confederate Secretary of State, wrote this letter to James Mason to inform him that he had been confirmed by the Senate "to represent the Confederate States to such foreign states as the President might deem appropriate". Mason's appointment as ambassador was not to a particular nation, but rather to serve where the President thought most expedient. Benjamin explains that this flexible appointment was deemed necessary because of the uncertain relations between European nations, because of disruptions in communications to Europe, because it might become necessary for Mason to be present at more than one European court, and because it was conceivable that an "unforeseen calamity" might prevent another ambassador from fulfilling his duties.

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