[Translation.]

Mr. Van Limburg to Mr. Seward

Sir: Among the questions which at present interest those governments whose geographical position imposes on them the desire to organize a fleet [Page 329] which may at need defend their coast, there is found in the front rank that of the construction of iron-clads. The government of his Majesty would attach much importance to a knowledge of the results which the naval authorities of the United States have obtained in this matter, and the construction finally which the government of the United States, enlightened by experience, judges to be preferable for this class of vessels.

If I do not deceive myself, the two American monitors, Mahopac and Dictator, which have lately been launched, both represent, the last in a larger scale than the first, the system which appears to be of the latest adoption. It is only the great obligingness of the government of the United States, and your extreme kindness, sir, which give me hope not to hazard in vain the respectful application to obtain some information that will enable me to give the royal government the advantage of the experience so gloriously obtained here, and I shall be very happy if your kind intromission should enable me to obtain the plans on which these steamers were constructed, as well as the data which give exactly their dimensions, the mode of armament, their equipment, interior arrangement, and the machinery which serves to manœuvre them. * *

I avail of this fresh occasion, sir, to reiterate to you the assurances of my very high consideration.

ROEST VAN LIMBURG.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.