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

Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.

No. 255.]

Department of State, Washington, May 22, 1862.

Sir: Referring to your despatch No. 146, of the 24th ultimo, and to my reply of the 9th instant, numbered 248, in relation to the recapture of the prize ship Emily St. Pierre, I invite your attention to the enclosed copy of a communication on the subject from the Secretary of the Navy.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward.

Navy Department, May 20, 1862.

Sir: I have the honor to invite your attention to the accompanying extract from a despatch, dated the 14th instant, received from Flag-Officer Samuel F. DuPont, commanding South Atlantic blockading squadron, in reference to the recapture of the Emily St. Pierre.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GIDEON WELLES.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

[Extract.]

Flag-Officer DuPont to Mr. Welles.

Flag-Ship Wabash, Port Royal Harbor, S. C., May 14, 1862.

Sir: I have read in the last papers the account of the recapture of the ship Emily St. Pierre, taken off Charleston, effected by clever artifice and enforced by gagging and putting in irons the prize officers and crew.

I cannot refrain from expressing the hope that the government purposes to insist upon the return of the Emily St. Pierre to the United States courts for adjudication, inasmuch as the recapture by the crew of a neutral vessel is, as I believe, contrary to law.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. F. DUPONT, Flag-Officer commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington.