[Extracts.]
Mr. Seward to Mr.
Dayton
No. 599.]
Department of State,
Washington,
July 2, 1864.
Sir: Your despatch of the 17th of June, No.
491, was received and immediately submitted to the Navy Department. I
give you a copy of a note which
[Page 121]
I have just now received from the Secretary of the Navy, by which it
appears that the Iroquois will forthwith go out to strengthen the United
States naval forces in European waters.
* * * * * * *
I approve of your instructions to Captain Winslow. It will he proper for
you, nevertheless, while informing M. Drouyn de l’Huys that I do so in a
spirit of courtesy towards France, to go further, and inform him that
the United States do not admit a right of France to interfere with their
ships-of-war at any distance exceeding three miles.
Especially must we disallow a claim of France so to interfere in any
conflict that we find it necessary to wage in European waters with
piratical vessels like the Alabama, built, armed, manned, and equipped,
and received as a belligerent in opposition to our persistent
remonstrances to commit depredations on our commerce.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
William L. Dayton Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Welles to Mr. Seward
Navy Department,
Washington,
July 2, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
this date, enclosing a copy of a despatch from Mr. Dayton, United
States minister at Paris, on the subject of the insurgent steamer
Alabama, and desiring to be informed whether it is the intention of
the Navy Department to order to Europe the additional naval force to
which Mr. Dayton refers.
In reply, I would state that the United States steamer Niagara,
Commodore T. T. Craven, sailed from New York early in June for
Antwerp, and orders have to-day been issued for the United States
steamer Iroquois, Commander C. R. P. Rodgers, to proceed immediately
to Brest.
In advising you of the movements of these steamers, I must be
permitted to state, with due deference to the opinions of others,
that I cannot see of what advantage their presence in European
waters will be. They will be denied access, except at stated
periods, to European ports; they can commit no hostile act in them,
nor are they allowed to blockade them. Thus they will be of but
little service in arresting the course of the rebel privateers;
which have every advantage in their favor. Even were it advisable to
attempt a blockade of any of the ports, a large force would be
required. From actual experience on our own coast we know the
difficulty of maintaining a blockade—fifteen or twenty vessels being
required in some instances to make it effective. If I mistake not,
Mr. Adams, our minister at London, has frequently intimated that the
presence of our men-of-war in European waters was only a cause of
irritation, and of but little practical benefit.
Very respectfully, &c.,
GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the
Navy.
Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State.
