Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have received the note which you did me the honor to address to me on the 27th, and in which you announce to me that Lieutenant General Grant makes no objection to French subjects who reside in the insurgent States passing his lines to go and embark at City Point. I have made communication of this to Admiral Reynaud, who replies that he is going to send to James river a light-draught vessel of his division, the Adonis, which may be able to ascend a little higher than City Point, up to Eyken or Aiken landing, where the usual exchange of flags of truce is made.
The Adonis will receive there our French subjects and their families, and will take them down the river, where another and larger vessel-of-war will be stationed to receive them. If this arrangement is, as I hope it may be, accepted by your excellency, I shall ask that orders may be given immediately, so that his Majesty’s despatch-boat shall encounter no hindrance on her route along James river. It should also be well understood that the Adonis should make as many trips as should be necessary, so that all his Majesty’s subjects who wish to emigrate may use this facility.
In thanking your excellency for the friendly dispositions you exhibit in regard to this affair, I seize this occasion to renew to you the assurances of my high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.