Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: Having learned from the newspapers and a telegraphic despatch the escape of the confederate steamer Japan from Greenock, and her supposed entrance into French waters, somewhere between St. Malo and Ushant, I thought it best at once to call the attention of this government to the subject.
With no evidence and little but newspaper statements to guide me, it was not exactly clear what I should ask for, but I assumed it as probable that this vessel had sought the shelter of a French port either for repairs after her accident, or for shipping additional men and an increased armament. The London Times had said she was probably off the French coast to take in cargo, which, I inferred, meant men, or arms, or both. Having left with Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys on yesterday a printed copy of the statement in the London Herald and London Times of the alleged character and the escape of this vessel, in despite of the effort of the English government to stop her, I submitted to him whether the French government would not, under the circumstances, give its aid. That he was aware that our government looked upon all that class of vessels as piratical, and I trusted that France would give us every aid which the condition of things would justify, and that, in any event, the hospitality of French ports, and all assistance or facilities to be obtained in such ports or waters should be denied to her. I told him that the character and destination of the vessel seemed to be admitted; that she appeared here, (I did not know under what pretended nationality,) but as little else than a fugitive from justice; and that any friendly action in the premises on the part of France would (more especially in view of the recent depredations of the Alabama and Florida) be most kindly regarded by the government and people of the United States.
After he had made a minute of the alleged facts, he said he would immediately call the attention of the department of marine to the subject, and see what could be done for us.
Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys seemed not indisposed to act promptly, even upon the vague and imperfect information I had given. But how far the French government would go, should the vessel be found in their ports, he did not say.
After my interview with Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys, I received a telegraphic communication from Mr. Adams as to the probable locus in quo of the Japan, not differing, however, from that which I had already received and communicated to Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
April 16.
P. S.—I again saw Mr. Drouyn de l’Huys last night, and he informed me that he had immediately communicated my statement to the head of the marine department. That he (although expressing great doubts of the probabilities of the truth of the reports that the vessel was on their coast) said he would immediately take measures to ascertain the facts, &c. D.