Mr. Pike to Mr.
Seward.
No. 24.]
United States
Legation,
The
Hague,
October 23, 1861.
Sir: I had the honor to transmit to you, on the
16th instant, the last communication of this government in respect to
the “Sumter” case, referring to the orders recently given to its
colonial authorities, by which the stay of such vessels in Dutch ports
is limited to 24 hours, and by which they are also forbidden to take on
board more than 24 hours’ supply of coal.
Considering these orders to be important, I have, in the following copy
of my reply to the Dutch government, ventured to express a qualified
satisfaction at their issue. I am in hopes you will adopt a similar view
of the case, as I conceive this government to be well disposed towards
the United States, and to consider that it has strained a point in our
favor.
I doubt if England or France will do anything of the sort; but the course
of Holland will, at least, furnish excellent grounds for some pertinent
questions in case they decline.
I have informed Mr. Adams, and also Mr. Dayton and Mr. Schurz, of the
final action of this government in this case. The copy of my note
follows, (to Baron Van Zuylen.)
[Untitled]
“United States
Legation,
The
Hague,
October 22, 1861.
“Sir: In reply to your communication of the
15th instant, which I have had the honor to receive, I take pleasure
in assuring your excellency that it has been far from my purpose to
say anything at any time which should occasion painful impressions
on the part of his Majesty’s government, or to use language marked
by impatience or irritation at the course of the government of the
Netherlands. But while making this disclaimer, frankness compels me
to add that I should not know in what more moderate terms to express
my sentiments than those I have had the honor to employ in
addressing his Majesty’s government.
“I desire further to say, in respect to that part of your
excellency’s communication which refers to the recent orders given
to the Dutch colonial authorities not to permit vessels engaged in
pirating upon United States
[Page 384]
commerce to remain in their ports more than 24 hours, and, when
steamers, not to be furnished with more than 24 hours’ supply of
fuel, that, while I receive the announcement with satisfaction, it
is qualified by deep regrets at the position his Majesty’s
government has thought proper to take in placing the misguided
persons in rebellion against the United States on a footing of
equality, in a most important respect, with the government to which
they owe obedience; for, though the orders in question deny shelter
and aid to pirates, it is impossible to regard with complacency the
fact that the exclusion operates equally against the vessels of the
United States, denying to them that accustomed hospitality ever
accorded by friendly nations.
“Abstaining, however, now as heretofore, from any discussion on this
topic while awaiting the reply of my government to your
communication of the 17th of September, I will only add that I feel
assured the United States government will fully share these regrets,
and I can only hope will not impeach my expressions of satisfaction
at the orders which you inform me have been given in accordance with
the rule of action laid down in that paper, notwithstanding the
position falls so far short of that which the United States have
confidently expected Holland would occupy on this question.
“I pray, &c., &c.
“Baron Van Zuylen, &c., &c.
I have had the honor to receive your despatch of the 4th of October,
(No. 24,) relative to the Sumter at Paramaribo, to which subject I
have already given my attention.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient
servant,
Hon. Wm. H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington.
