Mr. Harvey to Mr.
Seward.
No. 175.]
Legation of the United States.
Lisbon,
November 8, 1862.
Sir: The correspondence (in copy, marked R and
S) herewith communicated needs no particular explanation. It was
necessary to shape my action promptly upon the information received, and
I have endeavored to exert as much energy and efficiency as indifferent
and cramped means allowed. The disability of the Kearsarge is most
unfortunate now, as it was at the Azores.
When that vessel was sent to those islands, with the Tuscarora and St.
Louis, I did not anticipate the return of the three so suddenly, as will
be seen from the following extract of a general letter of suggestion,
addressed to Captain Pickering, the senior officer, on the 30th of
September, which was delivered to him by the commander of the St.
Louis.
“It will be necessary, in any event, to retain one of the two steamers at
the Azores for a time. The insurgents have already used those islands,
in defiance of the Portuguese authorities, who are comparatively
powerless, as a rendezvous for coaling, recruiting, and the transfer of
munitions of war from vessels abusing the British flag to steamers in
the service of the so-called confederates. And I am credibly informed
that a plan has been contrived to establish a coal station at one of the
islands, making it the entrepot of a regular contraband commerce,
inimical to the interests of the United States, and in flagrant
violation of the proclamation of the King of Portugal, of July 29, 1861,
of which I enclose you a translated copy.”
The expectation thus foreshadowed, as a result of reflection only, has
been liberally verified by recent information from London, already
communicated to the department with my No. 173. If the naval officers
had received the impression which the circumstances and situation had
forced upon my mind, [Page 1293] one of
the steamers would have remained at or near the Azores, and thus have
saved the necessity of returning there. They doubtless, however, acted
under their best convictions of duty.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Mr. Harvey to Mr. Pickering.
United States Legation, Lisbon,
November 5, 1862.
Sir: I have received your report of the
cruise to the Azores, and communicated a copy of it to the
Department of State for information.
The machinery of the Kearsarge appears to be imperfect and unfit for
the service which she has been and may be required to perform, if
the reports that have reached me from various sources are correct.
Deferring to your superior knowledge in such matters, I would
venture to suggest whether it would not be better to have the
defects at once thoroughly examined and restored wherever the
repairs can be done most speedily and completely, than to rely upon
a temporary remedy, with the hazard of a recurrence or disability. I
am informed that such work cannot be executed promptly or reliably
at Cadiz, and therefore, if you concur in these views, it might be
well to proceed to the best French port for that purpose.
A note from Commander Mann has just reached me from Fayal. He
proposes cruising towards Gibraltar and going to Cadiz. With the
Kearsarge, Release, and Chippewa in that vicinity, I can see no
object to be served by his presence there, which might at least be
morally useful here, as a fleet of merchantmen with cereals is soon
expected.
The Alabama destroyed one of this fleet, together with other ships,
near Newfoundland, about the 9th of October. Of course she will not
remain there to be captured, and I am prepared to hear that she has
recrossed the Atlantic to intercept the merchantmen coming to Lisbon
and other ports. Hence we should have a ship-of-war here and
hereabouts.
The Tuscarora will start to-day for the Azores, and thence towards
the Great Banks, hoping to encounter the pirate, and afterwards
return to these waters.
I am, respectfully,
Captain C. W. Pickering, United States Steamer Kearsarge,
Cadiz.
Mr. Harvey to Captain Pickering.
S.
Legation of the United
States, Lisbon,
November 6, 1862.
Sir: Since writing you yesterday I have
heard, through our legation at London, that the Bahama was to go
again to the Azores with men and munitions for Semmes, and that
despatches had been sent to him there by a Turkish steamer.
[Page 1294]
This information authorizes the belief that he is soon to return
there, and probably is already on his way back.
Not being certain whether you were still at Algeciras or had gone to
Cadiz, I sent the substance of this information to Mr. Sprague, at
Gibraltar, with a request that he should telegraph it to you
immediately, and that the Kearsarge or Chippewa should proceed
forthwith to the Azores to intercept the Tuscarora (which left here
yesterday) with it, and to co-operate in the capture of the
pirates.
I fear the disability of the Kearsarge will prevent her from going,
but I hope the Chippewa will be able to start promptly. You will
know whether watch over the Sumter is still really required, and of
course will regulate the movements of the St. Louis, referred to in
my note yesterday, with such a view to the protection of all
interests as may appear most prudent and proper under the changed
circumstances.
I am, respectfully,
Captain C. W. Pickering, United States Steamer Kearsarge,
Cadiz.
