Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Seward to Mr. Bigelow

No. 9.]

Department of State, Washington, December 29,1864.

Sir: On the 30th ultimo, and on the 7th instant, our consul at Nantes informed this department of suspicious circumstances in regard to the iron-clad vessels Shanghai and San Francisco, which he has reported to the legation at Paris. I will thank you to give your attention to the matter, and to take such steps as may, in your judgment, be expedient, towards preventing these vessels from falling into the hands of the insurgents.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

John Bigelow, Esq., &c., &c., &c.