Mr. Dayton to Mr Seward
Sir: Your despatches, from No. 554 to No. 559, both inclusive, and despatch No. 561, were received last night. I this morning went to the Foreign Office, and had a long interview with M. Drouyn de l’Huys, principally in reference to the vessels at Bordeaux and Nantes. After carefully examining your despatch, No. 553, I made up my mind that it was best, under all the circumstances, to read it to him entire, and I did so. The rams in question are being constructed at Bordeaux, and not at Nantes, as you state in that despatch; but that does not affect the question. There are two clipper ships, or privateers, being constructed at Nantes, and two at Bordeaux, under Mr. Annan’s direction, for the confederates. I then communicated to M. Drouyn de l’Huys so much of the substance of your despatches, No. 554 and the confidential despatch No. 556, as applied to these vessels now being built at Bordeaux and Nantes. The rams, you will recollect, M. Rouber, minister of state, said, in a speech in the Chamber of Deputies, should not be delivered to the confederates. I had already informed M. Drouyn de l’Huys of the Very serious character of these questions, and the probable consequences which would result from the completion and delivery of these vessels to the confederates. I have, on all occasions, used strong language when applied to these questions. I told him to-day that, in expressing the views of the President on this subject, I could scarcely speak with the necessary earnestness and directness, without trenching on that respectful forbearance of language to which I desired at all times to limit myself in our official intercourse. I told him that, should these vessels pass into the hands of the confederates, become armed and commence a system of depredation on our commerce, the exasperation would be such that the government, if so disposed, (which I did not intimate that it would be,) could scarcely keep the peace between the two countries.
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I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.