Hon. William H. Seward
Secretary of State, &c., &c.,
&c.
Mr. Dayton to M. Drouyn de l’Huys
Paris,
February, 2, 1864.
Monsieur le Ministre: I have just received
information from our consular agent at Calais that the confederate
war vessel Rappahannock has completed her repairs and equipment, and
is about to leave that port; and he further says that it appears by
a shipping gazette that a ship has gone out from the Thames laden
with munitions of all kinds for the Rappahannock. If this be true,
(and it is probable,) its effect upon the public mind of my country,
and the view likely to be taken of it by my government, must be
obvious. The Rappahannock is a confederate cruiser, and not a vessel
of commerce. To equip her in one neutral port as such, when it is
well understood she is to be immediately supplied from another
neutral port with arms to prey upon our commerce, is, I submit, to
aid directly in the principal wrong. The ports of England and
France, alternating in the character of their aid, might in this way
be made the easy means or base of military operations against us. It
is perfectly certain that the United States government will never
acquiesce in the justice or legality of such proceedings. And I now,
with great respect, give formal notice that reclamation will be made
in due time for all damages which shall be done by the Rappahannock
to our commerce, in case she be permitted under the circumstances to
go to sea.
Accept, sir, the assurance of high consideration with which I have
the honor to be, your excellency’s very obedient servant,
His Excellency M. Drouyn de l’Huys,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris.
