Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: I deem it advisable to state to you the following facts:
A man formerly in the employ of a loyal American commercial house in Paris has lately returned from the south, where he has been engaged as a blockade runner. He brought out 800 bales of cotton in September last from Ocklockonnee river and bay. He says there is no blockade stationed by our government, or was none on the 1st September last, between St. Mark’s and Appalachicola. The river Ocklockonnee is navigable for vessels of light draught for a long distance up. He says, further, that cotton is brought down the Appalachicola from a point still higher up, and is then carried by land across the country to the Ocklockonnee, from which, coming down to its mouth, it is easily transshipped. Of course, if cotton comes out that way, other things go in. If these facts are true, a blockade should be stationed at the mouth of that river in Ocklockonnee bay.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.