Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I do not know that it is important to you to know the fact, but as our consul at Nantes has communicated it to me, I state to you that the two rebel corvettes built at that place have made their trial trips and returned into port. The Shanghai remained an hour only in port after her return, and then again went to sea. I am informed that a Mr. Delisle, who has been connected with the confederates at Paris, as said, went out in the Shanghai when she left the second time.
What may be the significance of this fact, if it be a fact, you can judge quite as well as I.
There is no news here, so far as I am aware, affecting us specially at the present moment
The Emperor is at present on a visit to Nice, and it is said there will be an interview there between his Majesty and the Emperor of Russia.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.