Mr. Pike to Mr. Seward .
[Extracts.]
The Hague, October 12, 1861.
Sir: After reflection, upon the reappearance of the Sumter, and her prolonged stay in the port of Paramaribo, (this time apparently without pretext of any kind,) I have felt, in view of the position taken by the Dutch [Page 377] government in their communication to me of the 17th of September, that we were entitled to be specially informed of the precise interpretation which this government puts upon their general declaration in the communication referred to, namely, that it will not permit its ports to be made the base of hostile operations against the United States commerce.
I have accordingly made the direct inquiry of Baron Van Zuylen, without waiting to hear what you have to say in response to that communication. In reply to my inquiry, Baron Van Zuylen has informed me that, previous to his receiving information of the appearance of the Sumter at Paramaribo, orders were issued by the department of the colonies, instructing the colonial authorities not to permit the repetition of the visits of the Sumter, and other vessels of the so-called Confederate States; and if they did make their appearance in Dutch ports, to require them to leave within twenty-four hours, under penalty of being held to occupy a hostile attitude towards the government of the Netherlands. And further, that those authorities have also been instructed to forbid the furnishing of such vessels with more than twenty-four hours supply of fuel. These instructions, thus defined, are to the point. Whether they have been made general, and with that disregard of distinctions between the rights of mere belligerents and those of recognized nationalities, enjoying pacific relations and acting under treaties of amity and friendship, that mark the communication to which I have adverted, I did not deem it pertinent to inquire, nor do I consider the inquiry of any value as regards the practical bearings of this case.
In compliance with my request, Baron Van Zuylen has promised to furnish me with a copy of the order referred to, which, when received, I shall transmit to you without delay.
Although this order, as thus described to me by Mr. Van Zuylen, only sustains the expectations I have expressed to you on two former occasions as to what the action of this government would be, yet, considering the present attitude of the question, it is a matter of some surprise to me that a copy of it should not have been tendered without waiting to have it asked for.
* * * * * * * * *
Taking it to be as herein described, I do not see that the position of this government, so far as its action is concerned, is amenable to very grave censure, whatever may be said of its theoretic views, since the Dutch ports are now, substantially, shut to the vessels. The restriction in regard to supplying fuel, if adopted by other powers holding colonies in the West Indies, will put an end to rebel operations by steam in those seas.
I take some gratification in reflecting that my persistent appeals to the government to issue specific orders, on some ground, to their colonial authorities, looking to the exclusion of the piratical vessels of the seceding States from the Dutch ports, have not been wholly unavailing. That the government has argued against it, and declined acting on any suggestion I could make, is of small consequence, so long as they have found out a way of their own of doing the thing that was needed.
Baron Van Zuylen has renewedly expressed great regret that any questions should have arisen between the two governments.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.